invade

verb

in-VAYD/ɪnˈveɪd/

Formsinvades, invading, invaded

5 meanings of invade

1
verbtransitive
To enter a place by force, usually to take control of it.
Like a stronger team pushing its way onto another team's field to take it over.
Armies invade neighboring lands when they want more territory.
The troops invaded the small country last spring.
Similarattack, occupy, overrun, conquer, storm
2
verbtransitive
To show up somewhere without being asked, often to cause trouble.
Like uninvited guests pushing into a party where nobody wants them.
Reporters invade her home whenever there is bad news.
Tourists invaded the quiet town every summer.
Similarstorm, intrude, occupy, haunt
3
verbtransitive
To go against or break into someone's rights, space, or privacy.
Like someone reading your private letters without asking.
Strangers should not invade your privacy online.
The new rules invaded the rights of every worker.
Similarviolate, infringe, breach, encroach, intrude
Oppositerespect, protect
4
verbtransitive
To spread into a place in large, harmful numbers.
Like ants pouring into a kitchen and covering everything.
Weeds invade the garden if you stop pulling them.
Ants invaded the kitchen looking for food.
Similarinfest, overrun, colonize, plague
5
verbtransitive
To move into a space and take it over.
Like cold air rushing in when you open a window in winter.
Cold drafts invade the room when the door opens.
Floodwater invaded the basement overnight.
Similarpermeate, pervade, penetrate, fill, infiltrate

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of invade apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From the Latin word invādō, meaning "enter" or "invade".