invade

[ in-veyd ]

verb (used with object)

invaded, invading.

1. to enter forcefully as an enemy; go into with hostile intent:

   Germany invaded Poland in 1939.

   Synonyms: attack, penetrate

2. to enter like an enemy:

   Locusts invaded the fields.

   Synonyms: attack, penetrate

3. to enter as if to take possession:

   to invade a neighbor's home.

4. to enter and affect injuriously or destructively, as disease:

   viruses that invade the bloodstream.

5. to intrude upon:

   to invade the privacy of a family.

6. to encroach or infringe upon:

   to invade the rights of citizens.

7. to permeate:

   The smell of baking invades the house.

8. to penetrate; spread into or over:

   The population boom has caused city dwellers to invade the suburbs.

verb (used without object)

invaded, invading.

1. to make an invasion:

   troops awaiting the signal to invade.

invade

/ ɪnˈveɪd /

verb

1. to enter (a country, territory, etc) by military force
2. tr to occupy in large numbers; overrun; infest
3. tr to trespass or encroach upon (privacy, etc)
4. tr to enter and spread throughout, esp harmfully; pervade
5. (of plants, esp weeds) to become established in (a place to which they are not native)

Derived Forms

• inˈvader, noun
• inˈvadable, adjective

Other Word Forms

• in·vada·ble adjective
• in·vader noun
• quasi-in·vaded adjective
• rein·vade verb (used with object) reinvaded reinvading
• unin·vada·ble adjective
• unin·vaded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of invade¹

First recorded in 1485–95; from Latin invādere, from in- in- ² + vādere “to go, walk” ( wade )

Word History and Origins

Origin of invade¹

C15: from Latin invādere, from vādere to go

Example Sentences

On Monday, Harvard announced that it would not comply with the administration’s demands, which it said “invade university freedoms long recognized by the Supreme Court.”

From Los Angeles Times

“I like this one, let’s take it,” one of them says before they invade the house and hold an Iraqi family hostage in their home.

From Salon

"If China were to invade Taiwan, and should they have control over parts of our critical infrastructure, it would highly impact the potential to enforce sanctions or similar measures," Ms Theodoulou said.

From BBC

The conflict escalated in September 2024, when Israel launched a devastating air campaign across Lebanon and invaded the south of the country.

From BBC

Her melanoma had progressed to Stage 4 and invaded her brain and lungs.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• breach
• infect
• infest
• loot
• occupy
• overrun
• penetrate
• pillage
• plunder
• raid
• ravage
• storm
• violate