invade

verb

in·​vade in-ˈvād How to pronounce invade (audio)
invaded; invading
Synonyms of invade

transitive verb

1
: to enter for conquest or plunder
2
: to encroach upon : infringe
3
a
: to spread over or into as if invading : permeate
doubts invade his mind
b
: to affect injuriously and progressively
gangrene invades healthy tissue
invader noun

Synonyms of invade

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trespass, encroach, infringe, invade mean to make inroads upon the property, territory, or rights of another.

trespass implies an unwarranted or unlawful intrusion.

hunters trespassing on farmland

encroach suggests gradual or stealthy entrance upon another's territory or usurpation of another's rights or possessions.

the encroaching settlers displacing the native peoples

infringe implies an encroachment clearly violating a right or prerogative.

infringing a copyright

invade implies a hostile and injurious entry into the territory or sphere of another.

accused of invading their privacy

Examples of invade in a Sentence

The troops invaded at dawn. When tourists invade, the town is a very different place. The cancer eventually invaded the brain. Weeds had invaded the garden. Bacteria invaded and caused an infection.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Below, landscaping experts share the most common reasons crabgrass is invading your lawn. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 31 Aug. 2026 Yaroslav Perepadya has built a life in Davis since fleeing Ukraine with his teenage son after Russia invaded their country in 2022. — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Cover the Soil Like other weeds, ragweed is opportunistic and quickly invades areas of bare soil. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026 Australia clung to its final six point margin for the last 27 minutes of the match when tiredness induced by altitude in the mountainous venue saw some sloppiness and imprecision invade its game. — ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for invade

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin invādere "to enter with hostile intent, assault, attack," from in- in- entry 2 + vādere "to advance, go (quickly or purposefully)" — more at wade entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of invade was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing invade

Rhymes for invade

See All Rhymes for invade

Browse Nearby Words

invadable
invade
invader
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Invade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/invade. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

invade

verb
in·​vade in-ˈvād How to pronounce invade (audio)
invaded; invading
1
: to enter for conquest or plunder
2
: to disturb or intrude upon
invaded their privacy
3
: to spread over or into usually harmfully
bacteria invading tissue
invader noun

Medical Definition

invade

transitive verb
in·​vade in-ˈvād How to pronounce invade (audio)
invaded; invading
1
: to enter and spread within either normally (as in development) or abnormally (as in infection) often with harmful effects
protect the body from invading viruses
branches of a nerve invade the skin area
2
: to affect injuriously and progressively
gangrene invades healthy tissue
invader
-ˈvād-ər How to pronounce invade (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

invade

transitive verb
in·​vade
invaded; invading
1
: to encroach upon : infringe
invading a constitutional right
2
: to make payments out of (a fund from which payments are not ordinarily made)
authorized the trustee to invade the principal for educational expenses
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