invade

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb invade differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of invade are encroach, infringe, and trespass. While all these words mean "to make inroads upon the property, territory, or rights of another," invade implies a hostile and injurious entry into the territory or sphere of another.

accused of invading their privacy

When would encroach be a good substitute for invade?

The words encroach and invade are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, encroach suggests gradual or stealthy entrance upon another's territory or usurpation of another's rights or possessions.

the encroaching settlers displacing the native peoples

When is infringe a more appropriate choice than invade?

In some situations, the words infringe and invade are roughly equivalent. However, infringe implies an encroachment clearly violating a right or prerogative.

infringing a copyright

Where would trespass be a reasonable alternative to invade?

While the synonyms trespass and invade are close in meaning, trespass implies an unwarranted or unlawful intrusion.

hunters trespassing on farmland

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of invade As long as rising powers like Japan and Germany felt that their only route to securing critical resources such as rubber, coal, and oil was invading their neighbors, the world would never be safe. Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 16 June 2025 That new boom idled for a decade until Vladimir Putin created a commodities frenzy by invading Ukraine, one of the world’s most important ag exporters. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 15 June 2025 Amid President Trump’s threats to start a global trade war, invade Greenland, seize control of the Panama Canal and annex Canada, this story has gone virtually unnoticed: Cuba is going through its worst economic crisis in decades — maybe since the 1959 revolution. Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025 Longtime Libyan leader Muammar el-Qaddafi forfeited his nation's budding nuclear program in exchange for better ties with the U.S. in 2003, the same year the U.S. invaded Iraq and toppled President Saddam Hussein over allegations of weapons of mass destruction. Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for invade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invade
Verb
  • In 2022, Chinese authorities raided a warehouse and seized counterfeit Salvatore Ferragamo belts thanks to efforts by the Italian luxury house and Amazon.
    Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 26 June 2025
  • The following day, agents raided her husband’s home and business, Century Homebuilders Group, in Coral Gables.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • In Please Don't Feed the Children, Destry's camera follows a group of teenagers on the run in a dystopian United States ravaged by disease.
    Tommy McArdle, People.com, 25 June 2025
  • Newcomer Alfie Williams breathes new life into the pulsating horror as Spike, a 12-year-old boy who resides on a small British island with a community of survivors, 28 years after the rage virus first ravaged the United Kingdom.
    EW.com, EW.com, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • The right hemisphere of the brain dominates in spatial attention, while the right amygdala is dominant for processing threats.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 June 2025
  • The early adopter was Montgomery Ward, but Sears and Roebuck—the Amazon and Walmart of their day—would soon dominate the business.
    Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • The singer-songwriter first conquered the tally in May 2021 with Latest Record Project, Volume 1.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • Oasis were always unashamed in their ambition and bold about conquering the world, but they were staggered by the experience of playing at their club’s home stadium.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • These words, which fill a popular meme set against the profile of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., occupy our thoughts.
    Michael Pfleger, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025
  • Andy Robertson has occupied that position in the Liverpool lineup for the last eight years.
    Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • The wild and ugly scenes saw rioters attack law enforcement with rocks and Molotov cocktails while others burned vehicles and other property.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025
  • This infection attacks your stomach lining and causes inflammation.
    Sayaka Blickenderfer, Health, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Invade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invade. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on invade

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