What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
intruded
Example
I felt like my privacy was being intruded upon when my neighbor kept peeking through my window. [intruded: verb]
Example
The loud music from the party next door intruded on my ability to concentrate. [intruded: past tense]
encroach
Example
The construction of the new building encroached on the park's green space. [encroached: verb]
Example
The company's policies began to encroach on employees' personal lives. [encroach: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Intrude is more commonly used than encroach in everyday language, especially in personal or interpersonal situations. Encroach is more specialized and is typically used in legal or environmental contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between intruded and encroach?
Both intrude and encroach are relatively formal words and are not typically used in casual conversation. However, encroach may be slightly more formal due to its specialized usage in legal or environmental contexts.
