inroad

[ in-rohd ]

/ ˈɪnˌroʊd /

a damaging or serious encroachment: inroads on our savings.

a sudden hostile or predatory incursion; raid; foray.

Origin of inroad

First recorded in 1540–50; in-¹ + road

inquorate, inradius, inri, inrigger, inro, inroad, inroads, inrush, ins, ins and outs, ins.

The state was a key Democratic pickup in 2008, a symbol of Democratic inroads into the Republican West.

Your Election Night Guide |The Daily Beast |November 1, 2010 |DAILY BEAST
A few centuries ago Europe feared the inroads of Eastern barbarians; now, any such fear would be ridiculous.

The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex, Vol. I (1st edition) |Charles Darwin
Moab was more exposed to the inroads of its nomadic neighbours from the wilderness than its sister-kingdom of Ammon.

Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations |Archibald Sayce
The Creeks were still hostile and continued their inroads upon the western settlements.

Myths of the Cherokee |James Mooney

These various manifestations are all produced by the inroads of the specific organism, Bacillus tuberculosis.

Outlines of dairy bacteriology |H. L. Russell
They therefore deserved to be guarded from the inroads of fever and fatigue.

The Usurper |Judith Gautier

inroad

/ (ˈɪnˌrəʊd) /

an invasion or hostile attack; raid or incursion

an encroachment or intrusion

inroads

see make inroads into.