invades; invaded; invading
1
: to enter (a place, such as a foreign country) in order to take control by military force
invade a country
The troops invaded at dawn.
2
a
: to enter (a place) in large numbers
Ants invaded the kitchen.
Tourists invaded the town.
When tourists invade, the town is a very different place.
b
: to enter or be in (a place where you are not wanted)
She was invading my space. [=she was too close to me; she was in the place/space where I was or where I wanted to be]
3
: to spread over or into (something) in a harmful way
The cancer eventually invaded the brain.
Weeds had invaded the garden.
Doubts invaded my mind. [=I began to have many doubts]
Bacteria invaded and caused an infection.
4
: to affect (something, such as your life or privacy) in an unwanted way
He thinks people were happier before TV and the Internet invaded our lives.
Photographers invaded her privacy. [=caused her to lose her privacy; intruded on her privacy]
Cite this Entry
“Invade.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/invade. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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