invade

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb invade differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of invade are encroach, infringe, and trespass. While all these words mean "to make inroads upon the property, territory, or rights of another," invade implies a hostile and injurious entry into the territory or sphere of another.

accused of invading their privacy

When would encroach be a good substitute for invade?

The words encroach and invade are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

When is infringe a more appropriate choice than invade?

In some situations, the words infringe and invade are roughly equivalent. However, infringe implies an encroachment clearly violating a right or prerogative.

infringing a copyright

Where would trespass be a reasonable alternative to invade?

While the synonyms trespass and invade are close in meaning, trespass implies an unwarranted or unlawful intrusion.

hunters trespassing on farmland

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of invade The hungry invading mussels caused a nearly tenfold reduction of phytoplankton, the primary food of many species of the Hudson River ecosystem. Christine Keiner, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025 For better or worse, fashionable footwear has invaded the hiking space. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 14 Oct. 2025 An enemy may have invaded your beautiful, green lawn, leaving it ugly and brown. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2025 Boaters anchoring near Karlton’s home on Sunset Lake were invading his privacy, Karlton told the Herald at the time, saying the liveaboards could see into his windows and would sometimes come onto his property. Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for invade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invade
Verb
  • Thieves have raided the Louvre multiple times over the decades - and once managed to snatch Mona Lisa herself right off the wall.
    NPR, NPR, 20 Oct. 2025
  • On Friday, videos and posts on social media claiming that ICE had raided The Abbey, an iconic LGBTQ+ bar in the city’s Rainbow District.
    James Factora, Them., 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Wait until November to start feeding birds if bears and other wildlife tend to ravage your bird feeders.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Trump’s response to the reporter’s brief question about Wu and World Cup games in Boston lasted less than four minutes, with a chunk of his response referring to Los Angeles’ response to the devastating wildfires that ravaged Southern California earlier this year.
    Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Paris dominated global fashion traffic, accounting for 49 percent of views compared with 25 percent for Milan, 17 percent for New York and 9 percent for London, Tagwalk founder and chief executive officer Alexandra Van Houtte said during a presentation on Thursday.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Continue reading … TOXIC TEXTS – Jay Jones’ ‘two bullets’ scandal over violent texts expected to dominate Virginia AG debate.
    , FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And when was conquering ever a good thing?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Both were outsiders who left their homeland to conquer the world.
    NPR, NPR, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Ulbrich thought Deablo had enough pass-rushing acumen to be an occasional blitzer and had the speed and length to drop into pass coverage in the middle of the field and occupy a large spot not just on the field but in the vision of the quarterback.
    Josh Kendall, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The system has the ability to show warehouse operators how much of the warehouse is occupied, whether products and pallets are in the right location, how storage conditions seem and more.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And if Klopp felt the benefits of turning throw-ins into choreographed events, complete with long build-ups, would be outweighed in Liverpool’s case by a loss of attacking impetus, is there not something to be said for that?
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Officers found people trying to attack police cruisers with fireworks, cones, poles and other items.
    Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Invade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invade. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on invade

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