invade

verb

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in·vade | \ in-ˈvād

invaded; invading

Definition of invade

transitive verb

1 : to enter for conquest or plunder

2 : to encroach upon : infringe

3a : to spread over or into as if invading : permeate doubts invade his mind

b : to affect injuriously and progressively gangrene invades healthy tissue

Other Words from invade Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing invade Learn More About invade

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 Russian gas, a vital source of energy for many economies in the European Union, had continued to flow uninterrupted through pipelines across Ukraine since President Vladimir Putin ordered troops to invade in February. — Mark Thompson, CNN, 11 May 2022 All this is peanuts compared with what might lie ahead should China attempt to invade Taiwan. — Steve Milloy, WSJ, 9 May 2022 The Generation Now star prophesizes his plans to invade arenas on his next tour while sprinkling in name-dropping entertainment titans like Ariana Grande and Luka Doncic to somehow make the unlikely blend all work. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 6 May 2022 Just this week, mysterious explosions rocked a pro-Kremlin region of Moldova, igniting fears that Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to invade it next. — Tamarra Kemsley, The Salt Lake Tribune, 4 May 2022 From there, that version of Ultron is able to invade different realities throughout the Multiverse easily, necessitating the creation of a team of superheroes from across the Multiverse to stop him. — Graeme Mcmillan, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 May 2022 From warning of nuclear confrontation to stoking energy crises and perhaps even eyeing up fresh territories to invade, Moscow has ramped up its threats this week — but so has the West. — NBC News, 30 Apr. 2022 Many analysts now share the government’s judgment that Putin was planning to invade all along. — James Harkin, Harper’s Magazine , 27 Apr. 2022 Austin said again that the United States aimed to ensure that Russia is never again able to invade a peaceful neighbor. — Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'invade.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Learn More About invade

Dictionary Entries Near invade

invadable

invade

invade someone's privacy

Statistics for invade

Last Updated

16 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Invade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/invade. Accessed 26 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for invade

invade

verb

in·vade | \ in-ˈvād

invaded; invading

Kids Definition of invade

1 : to enter by force to conquer or plunder

2 : to show lack of respect for She invaded their privacy.

invade

transitive verb

in·vade | \ in-ˈvād

invaded; invading

Medical Definition of invade

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

invade

transitive verb

in·vade

invaded; invading

Legal Definition of invade

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