invade

verb

in·​vade in-ˈvād How to pronounce invade (audio)
invaded; invading

transitive verb

1
: to enter for conquest or plunder
2
: to encroach upon : infringe
3
a
: to spread over or into as if invading : permeate
doubts invade his mind
b
: to affect injuriously and progressively
gangrene invades healthy tissue
invader noun
Choose the Right Synonym for invade

trespass, encroach, infringe, invade mean to make inroads upon the property, territory, or rights of another.

trespass implies an unwarranted or unlawful intrusion.

hunters trespassing on farmland

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

infringe implies an encroachment clearly violating a right or prerogative.

infringing a copyright

invade implies a hostile and injurious entry into the territory or sphere of another.

accused of invading their privacy

Examples of invade in a Sentence

The troops invaded at dawn. When tourists invade, the town is a very different place. The cancer eventually invaded the brain. Weeds had invaded the garden. Bacteria invaded and caused an infection.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The finale of season two — and specifically how the endorphin-releasing Rocky theme tune, Gonna Fly Now, kicked in just as the crowd invaded the pitch to celebrate that non-League exile was over — felt similarly unassailable. Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 27 June 2025 Their peaceful days were shattered on June 25, 1950, when North Korea invaded the South. Gawon Bae, CNN Money, 27 June 2025 Fund managers and other industry experts CNBC spoke to said that though the traction in defense stocks started back in 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine, this year has seen a particularly strong surge in their popularity. Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 27 June 2025 This is the latest in a series of public protests by those who don’t want Bezos and his party invading Venice. Rachel McRady, People.com, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for invade

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin invādere "to enter with hostile intent, assault, attack," from in- in- entry 2 + vādere "to advance, go (quickly or purposefully)" — more at wade entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of invade was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Invade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/invade. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

invade

verb
in·​vade in-ˈvād How to pronounce invade (audio)
invaded; invading
1
: to enter for conquest or plunder
2
: to disturb or intrude upon
invaded their privacy
3
: to spread over or into usually harmfully
bacteria invading tissue
invader noun

Medical Definition

invade

transitive verb
in·​vade in-ˈvād How to pronounce invade (audio)
invaded; invading
1
: to enter and spread within either normally (as in development) or abnormally (as in infection) often with harmful effects
protect the body from invading viruses
branches of a nerve invade the skin area
2
: to affect injuriously and progressively
gangrene invades healthy tissue
invader noun

Legal Definition

invade

transitive verb
in·​vade
invaded; invading
1
: to encroach upon : infringe
invading a constitutional right
2
: to make payments out of (a fund from which payments are not ordinarily made)
authorized the trustee to invade the principal for educational expenses

More from Merriam-Webster on invade

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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