invade

verb

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 Learn More about invade

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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

Because Mayor Kline is the reasons the Russians have invaded Hawkins and have started building underground facilities! — Rachel Paige, refinery29.com, "Stranger Things 3," 5 July 2019 Americans have no interest in invading and occupying another Muslim country — least of all Iran. — Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, "For Regime Change in Iran," 29 June 2019 Residents and farmers in rural communities also complain about elephants invading their lands and destroying crops. — Doug Criss, CNN, "5 things to know for June 26: Mueller, immigration, 2020 Dems, population, Zimbabwe," 26 June 2019 The region around the Baltic Sea emerged as a potential flashpoint after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014 and seized part of the country. — Thomas Grove, WSJ, "U.S., NATO Moves in Baltics Raise Russian Fears," 14 June 2019 But for Poland, which has been invaded and carved up repeatedly by Russia and Germany over the centuries, a U.S. presence is seen as a long-term guarantee of security. — David S. Cloud, latimes.com, "U.S. will send more troops to Poland in a move likely to anger Russia," 12 June 2019 He was deeply involved in the administration’s decision to invade Panama and arrest its strongman, Manuel Noriega, a move the United Nations condemned as a violation of international law. — Katie Benner, BostonGlobe.com, "People are trying to figure out William Barr. He’s busy wielding power," 9 June 2019 He was deeply involved in the administration’s decision to invade Panama and arrest its strongman, Manuel Noriega, a move the United Nations condemned as a violation of international law. — New York Times, "People Are Trying to Figure Out William Barr. He’s Busy Stockpiling Power.," 9 June 2019 A year before, Bolton had written an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal arguing that President Trump should bomb and invade North Korea rather than give negotiation a chance. — Tyler Bellstrom, The New Republic, "Fire John Bolton," 22 June 2019

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.

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Dictionary Entries near invade

invade someone's privacy

invade someone's space

invaginate

Statistics for invade

Last Updated

11 Jul 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for invade

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

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More Definitions for invade

invade

verb

English Language Learners Definition of invade

: to enter (a place, such as a foreign country) in order to take control by military force

: to enter (a place) in large numbers

: to enter or be in (a place where you are not wanted)

See the full definition for invade in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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

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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