incursion

noun

in·​cur·​sion in-ˈkər-zhən 

1

: a hostile entrance into a territory : raid

2

: an entering in or into (something, such as an activity or undertaking)

his only incursion into the arts

Synonyms of incursion

• invasion
• raid

Examples of incursion in a Sentence

an incursion into enemy airspace

there were incursions from the border every summer

Recent Examples on the Web

Russian officials have denied responsibility for such incursions. —David Brennan, ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026

The War Powers Resolution and War Powers Act gives him 60 to 90 days to conduct such an operation, and Congress was lawfully notified within 48 hours of the initial incursion. —NBC news, 5 Apr. 2026

The broader picture shows that Ukrainian forces made their most significant gains over the winter since an incursion into Russia’s Kursk region in 2024. —Tim Lister, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026

In retaliation for Israel’s military incursion in Gaza, the militia began targeting ships with missile and drone strikes in 2024, forcing vessels to transit around Africa instead in a deviation that added up to 30% in transit times. —Tristan Bove, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin incursion-, incursio, from incurrere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for incursion

• aspersion
• aversion
• conversion
• dispersion
• diversion
• eversion
• excursion
• immersion
• inversion
• perversion
• recursion
• reversion

Kids Definition

incursion

noun

in·​cur·​sion in-ˈkər-zhən 

: a sudden usually temporary invasion : raid