invade

[ in-veyd ]

verb (used with object)

, in·vad·ed, in·vad·ing.

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)

, in·vad·ed, in·vad·ing.

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 Words From

• 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

It continues to carry out daily attacks on Israel, although not with the same intensity, and confront invading Israeli soldiers in Lebanon’s south.

From BBC

They surround the tumor nests and may prevent immune cells such as T cells from invading the tumor.

From Science Daily

These harrowing stories come as energy bills rise during what could be a cold winter for the first time since the peak of the energy crisis when Russia invaded Ukraine over two years ago.

From BBC

One worry is that Beijing is ramping up militarily to invade Taiwan, which it sees as a breakaway province that will eventually be under its control.

From BBC

The outgoing president has also said the US would defend Taiwan if it were invaded by China.

From BBC

Related Words

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