invade

verb

in-VAYD/ɪnˈveɪd/

Formsinvades, invading, invaded

5 meanings of invade

1
verbtransitive
To enter a territory by force, usually in order to conquer it.
Foreign armies invade weaker nations to seize their resources.
Napoleon's forces invaded Russia in 1812.
Similarattack, occupy, overrun, conquer, storm
2
verbtransitive
To make an unwelcome or uninvited visit or appearance, often intending to cause trouble or some unpleasant situation.
Protesters invade the council chambers to disrupt the meeting.
Memories of the accident invaded her thoughts every night.
Similarstorm, intrude, occupy, haunt
3
verbtransitive
To attack, infringe, or encroach on something, especially another's rights or privacy.
Surveillance programs invade the privacy of ordinary citizens.
The decree invaded liberties that had stood for centuries.
Similarviolate, infringe, breach, encroach, intrude
Oppositerespect, protect
4
verbtransitive
To infest or overrun a place, spreading through it in large numbers.
Invasive beetles invade healthy forests and kill the trees.
Algae invaded the lake after the fertilizer runoff.
Similarinfest, overrun, colonize, plague
5
verbtransitive
To move into and occupy a space, spreading through it.
Damp odors invade every corner of an old house.
A sudden chill invaded the hall as the storm approached.
Similarpermeate, pervade, penetrate, fill, infiltrate

Practice

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Origin

From Latin invādō, meaning "to enter" or "to invade".