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definitions

invade

[in-veyd]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR invade ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), in·vad·ed, in·vad·ing.

verb (used without object), in·vad·ed, in·vad·ing.

to make an invasion: troops awaiting the signal to invade.

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RELATED WORDS

raid, violate, plunder, pillage, ravage, occupy, breach, storm, infect, penetrate, loot, infest, overrun, maraud, permeate, crash, burglarize, infringe, interfere, access

Origin of invade

1485–95; < Latin invādere, equivalent to in- in-2 + vādere to go; see wade
Related formsin·vad·a·ble, adjectivein·vad·er, nounqua·si-in·vad·ed, adjectivere·in·vade, verb (used with object), re·in·vad·ed, re·in·vad·ing.un·in·vad·a·ble, adjectiveun·in·vad·ed, adjective

Synonyms for invade

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR invade ON THESAURUS.COM
1, 2. penetrate, attack.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for invade

Contemporary Examples of invade

Historical Examples of invade

  • Would it be wise to invade this home just at this juncture and introduce boarders?

  • General Lee was encouraged to assume the offensive, and to invade Pennsylvania.

    The Nation in a Nutshell

    George Makepeace Towle

  • The fragrance and beauty of the lily seemed suddenly to invade his spirit.

    Cleo The Magnificent

    Louis Zangwill

  • The British were about to invade the colonies from Canada by way of that lake.

  • Well––er––do you think they intend to invade our upper range this year?

    Hidden Water

    Dane Coolidge

British Dictionary definitions for invade

invade

verb

to enter (a country, territory, etc) by military force
(tr) to occupy in large numbers; overrun; infest
(tr) to trespass or encroach upon (privacy, etc)
(tr) to enter and spread throughout, esp harmfully; pervade
(of plants, esp weeds) to become established in (a place to which they are not native)
Derived Formsinvadable, adjectiveinvader, noun

Word Origin for invade

C15: from Latin invādere, from vādere to go
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for invade
v.

late 15c., from Middle French invader "to invade," and directly from Latin invadere "to go into, enter upon; assail, assault, attack" (see invasion). Related: invaded; invading.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper