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)

Other Word Forms

• invadable adjective
• invader noun
• quasi-invaded adjective
• reinvade verb (used with object)
• uninvadable adjective
• uninvaded 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

The shift into gold started with the freezing of Russian reserves after Russia invaded Ukraine, prompting central banks in developing countries to question how secure claims on Western governments would be in a crisis.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Austria faced near extinction in 1740 when Maria Theresa’s accession to the Habsburg throne prompted Frederick II of Prussia to invade and spark a war of partition.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Several years ago he made a joke remark about invading neighbouring Kenya, to the dismay of generals.

Read more on BBC

Mr. Putin’s impetus in invading Ukraine was to re-establish the “motherland” as a global superpower—to restore the honor of the old Soviet and Russian empires.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

French industry has been catching up to Germany’s since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, says Michael Field, European equity strategist at Morningstar.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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