invade

[ in-veyd ]

/ ɪnˈveɪd /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: invade / invaded / invading / invader on Thesaurus.com

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

to enter forcefully as an enemy; go into with hostile intent: Germany invaded Poland in 1939.

to enter like an enemy: Locusts invaded the fields.

to enter as if to take possession: to invade a neighbor's home.

to enter and affect injuriously or destructively, as disease: viruses that invade the bloodstream.

to intrude upon: to invade the privacy of a family.

to encroach or infringe upon: to invade the rights of citizens.

to permeate: The smell of baking invades the house.

to penetrate; spread into or over: The population boom has caused city dwellers to invade the suburbs.

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

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

OTHER WORDS FOR invade

1, 2 penetrate, attack.

See synonyms for invade on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of invade

1485–95; <Latin invādere, equivalent to in-in-² + vādere to go; see wade

OTHER WORDS FROM invade

in·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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use invade in a sentence

The viral fingerprints in this internal CRISPR library can then be weaponized, making small pieces of RNA that function as molecular GPS devices to guide a protein called Cas9 to the genome of an invading virus, which it snips in two.
With CRISPR, humans can create their own evolutionary future|Adrian Woolfson|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
These work by injecting a piece of genetic material into a person’s body that contains instructions for how to create the spike protein, the signature mechanism the coronavirus uses to invade its victim’s cells.
Moderna says its covid-19 vaccine is nearly 95% effective|Will Heaven|November 16, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Highs are likely to start the day in the 50s but end in the 40s as colder air invades.
D.C.-area forecast: After up to 4 inches, rain eases this afternoon; skies brighten Friday through the weekend|David Streit|November 12, 2020|Washington Post
While she had previously been healthy, the virus aggressively invaded her body, and her doctors soon told us there was nothing they could do.
Why We Need a Collective Vision to Design the Future of Health|Abner Mason|November 11, 2020|Singularity Hub

Once created, the immune system reacts to these proteins, generating protection against the virus if it ever invades a person’s body.
Pfizer claims its COVID-19 vaccine is 90 percent effective. Here’s what that actually means.|Claire Maldarelli|November 10, 2020|Popular-Science
But first,” he said, “I am crossing the border into Iraq, to fight against the American invader.
GOP Hypocrisy: Outraged Over Benghazi, Silent on Iraq|Jay Parini|May 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But she later said Forde “looked like” the camouflage-clad female home invader barking orders into a walkie talkie.
Minuteman Murderer, Shawna Forde, Speaks|Terry Greene Sterling|February 15, 2011|DAILY BEAST
It is not clear who will win this battle of media giants, but it is a credit to the invader that it is happening at all.
Murdoch's Italian Offensive|Conrad Black|June 10, 2009|DAILY BEAST
The breeze which was favourable to the invader might prevent our men of war from standing out to sea.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
The invader who reduces a nation to anarchy, and then suffers from the disorder he creates, always calls his opponents brigands.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3|Various
Mrs. Gillis arranged for the evening meal at the Gillis home where plans could be made to thwart an invader.
David Lannarck, Midget|George S. Harney
Kentucky and Missouri might have been wrested from Union control, and Arkansas freed from the presence of the invader.
Stone's River|Wilson J. Vance
With the fall of Rome, and the barbarian invasions, she was perfectly suited to the needs of the Teutonic invader.
Florence and Northern Tuscany with Genoa|Edward Hutton

British Dictionary definitions for invade

invade

/ (ɪnˈveɪd) /

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 forms of invade

invadable, 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

invade

OTHER WORDS FOR invade

Origin of invade

OTHER WORDS FROM invade

Words related to invade

How to use invade in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for invade

Derived forms of invade

Word Origin for invade