incursion

[in-kur-zhuhn, -shuhn]

noun

1. a hostile entrance into or invasion of a place or territory, especially a sudden one; raid.

   The bandits made brief incursions on the village.

   Synonyms: attack, foray, sortie

2. a harmful inroad.

3. a running in.

   the incursion of sea water.

incursion

/ ɪnˈkɜːsɪv, ɪnˈkɜːʃən /

noun

1. a sudden invasion, attack, or raid

2. the act of running or leaking into; penetration

Other Word Forms

• incursive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of incursion¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin incursiōn- (stem of incursiō ) raid, equivalent to incurs ( us ) (past participle of incurrere to incur ) + -iōn- -ion; excursion

Word History and Origins

Origin of incursion¹

C15: from Latin incursiō onset, attack, from incurrere to run into; see _incur

Example Sentences

In short, Williams-Sonoma and others can hardly afford the incursion of cheaper rivals at a time when inflation-weary consumers are laser focused on value and getting more comfortable with buying even big-ticket home items online.

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Pakistan's Federal Constabulary, previously known as the Frontier Constabulary, is responsible for handling situations beyond the capabilities of the police force, including tribal incursions and criminal gang violence.

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But the Kremlin has denied it has anything to do with past incursions.

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"All incursions... are conducted by land," he stated.

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We've seen similar moves with the recent drone incursions across Europe, and Russian warplanes flying into Nato airspace.

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Related Words

• aggression 
• attack 
• foray 
• infiltration 
• inroad 
• intrusion 
• penetration 
• raid