overrun

1 to enter for conquest or plunder waves of barbarians overran the Roman Empire during its long decline Synonyms foray (into), invade, raidRelated Words despoil, loot, maraud, pillage, plunder, ransack, ravage, sack, strip; conquer, crush, dominate, overcome, overpower, overwhelm, subdue, subject, subjugate, vanquish; assail, assault, attack, beset, charge, rush, storm, strike; battle, clash (with), combat, fight, war (with); encroach, harass, infringe, trespass; beleaguer, besiege, blockade, invest; garrison, occupyNear Antonyms defend, guard, protect, safeguard, shield, ward; defy, oppose, repel, resist, withstand; capitulate (to), cede (to), submit (to), succumb (to), surrender (to), yield (to)

2 to go beyond the limit of he must not overrun his authority as governor Synonyms break, outreach, outrun, overpass, overreach, exceed, overshoot, overstep, surpass, transcendRelated Words encroach, entrench (also intrench), infringe, invade, trespass; overdo, overuse, overutilize, overwork

3 to spread or swarm over in a troublesome manner ants are overrunning the garden Synonyms infestRelated Words beset, overspread, overwhelm; abound, crawl, teem; annoy, pester, plague; contaminate, infect