as in incursion
a sudden attack on and entrance into hostile territory
the irruptions of the Goths into Italy in the fifth century
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of irruption
Central to this tumultuous state of affairs was the irruption of graffiti that took the city by surprise starting sometime in the late 1960s as new products like spray-paint and permanent markers were made easily available.
—
Antonio Sergio Bessa, Curbed, 20 Oct. 2025
Orwell narrowed it down to the Edwardian era — 1901 to 1919 — long before the irruptions of two world wars and the Great Depression.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
This is the largest owl irruption in Minnesota in two decades.
—Dan Kraker, Twin Cities, 9 Feb. 2025
An irruption is a sudden change in population density.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2023
What is an irruption?
—Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 22 Nov. 2022
Antonio Sergio Bessa, Curbed, 20 Oct. 2025
Orwell narrowed it down to the Edwardian era — 1901 to 1919 — long before the irruptions of two world wars and the Great Depression.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
This is the largest owl irruption in Minnesota in two decades.
—Dan Kraker, Twin Cities, 9 Feb. 2025
An irruption is a sudden change in population density.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2023
What is an irruption?
—Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 22 Nov. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irruption
Noun
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In September, Russia sent some twenty drones into Poland’s airspace, an incursion that Poland’s Prime Minister described as the closest the country had come to open conflict since the Second World War.—
Elizabeth Flock,
New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2026
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More frontline stalemate followed – until Kyiv, under the new leadership of General Oleksandr Syrskyi, launched a surprise incursion into Russia’s Kursk region in August 2024.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Europe has struggled to unite to meet the challenges of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the last four years.—
Domi Suskova,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
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The new government took office a day before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.—
Mike Corder,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Mexican soldiers killed Oseguera on Sunday in a raid on his remote mountain hideout.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Episodes will explore a world of daring raids, epic battles and empire-building, following legendary figures such as Ragnar Lothbrok, Canute and Harald Hardrada.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Irruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irruption. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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