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 Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, central banks have bought gold three times faster than in years prior, Goldman Sachs found. Megan Poinski, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024 Dahomey Director: Mati Diop Countries: France/Senegal/Benin Running Time: 68 min When France invaded the Kingdom of Dahomey, royal treasures were looted and brought to Europe. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2024 Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Telegram has been popular among Ukrainians—including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy—for sharing news and text updates about the ongoing war. Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2024 Russia invaded Ukraine and has a military and economic partnership with China, though Beijing reasserted its longstanding support for every country’s sovereignty without criticizing Russia in a recent briefing paper for the U.N. meetings. Edith M. Lederer, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for invade 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'invade.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near invade

Cite this Entry

“Invade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/invade. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

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

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