invade

verb

in·​vade in-ˈvād 

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

Synonyms

• foray (into)
• overrun
• raid

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

Analysis by severe weather expert Jeff Halverson A stubborn wedge of chilly, rainy air may be invaded and eroded by a southerly push of milder, more unstable air, ahead of an approaching cold front. —Jeff Halverson, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024

Israel invaded the Gaza Strip in October after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a massive attack on Israel that killed some 1,200 people, and took about 240 hostages into Gaza. —James Hider, NPR, 2 Apr. 2024

The historical drama Vikings will invade the streaming giant for the first time Saturday, ready to pillage and burn its way onto your TV screen. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024

Here are a few tips to keep mosquitoes, roaches, rats and more from invading your home. —Cincinnati Enquirer, The Enquirer, 29 Mar. 2024

The weed spreads aggressively and has already invaded Phoenix, officials said. —Helena Wegner, Sacramento Bee, 29 Mar. 2024

After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Mr. Gershkovich left Moscow, along with most foreign journalists, and relocated to London. —Katie Robertson, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024

Six years later, as Kahneman was finishing first grade, the Nazis invaded France, and his family was forced to wear the yellow star that marked Jews for mass deportations to concentration camps. —Diksha Madhok, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024

Israel-Gaza war Tensions are rising between the United States and Israel over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to invade Rafah. —Abigail Hauslohner, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024

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

Phrases Containing invade

• invade someone's space
• invade someone's privacy

Kids Definition

invade

verb

in·​vade in-ˈvād 

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 

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

-ˈvād-ər 

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