If there is an invasion of a country, a foreign army enters it by force.
...seven years after the Roman invasion of Britain. [+ of]
He was commander in chief during the invasion of Panama.
Synonyms: attack, assault, capture, takeover More Synonyms of invasion
2. variable noun
If you refer to the arrival of a large number of people or things as an invasion, you are emphasizing that they are unpleasant or difficult to deal with.
...this year's annual invasion of flies, wasps and ants. [+ of]
Seaside resorts such as Blackpool and Brighton are preparing for a tourist invasion.
Synonyms: flood, flow, rush, arrival More Synonyms of invasion
3. variable noun
If you describe an action as an invasion, you disapprove of it because it affects someone or something in a way that is not wanted.
[disapproval]
Is reading a child's diary always a gross invasion of privacy? [+ of]
Synonyms: intrusion, breach, violation, disturbance More Synonyms of invasion
invasion in British English
(ɪnˈveɪʒən)
noun
1.
the act of invading with armed forces
2.
any encroachment or intrusion
an invasion of rats
3.
the onset or advent of something harmful, esp of a disease
4. pathology
the spread of cancer from its point of origin into surrounding tissues
5.
the movement of plants to a new area or to an area to which they are not native
invasion in American English
(ɪnˈveɪʒən)
noun
an invading or being invaded
; specif.,
a.
an entering or being entered by an attacking military force
b.
an intrusion or infringement
c.
the onset, appearance, or spread of something
Word origin
MFr < LL invasio < L invasus, pp. of invadere
Examples of 'invasion' in a sentence
invasion
Robert's regiment had sailed from England to Sicily in July, 1943 to take part in the invasion of the island.
Townsend, Eileen IN LOVE AND WAR (2001)
All in all, she felt happier and more settled than at any time since she'd learned of the proposed invasion.
Fraser, Anthea THE GOSPEL MAKERS (2001)
There will be no aid, no cannon, no invasion of southern Medalon.
Jennifer Fallon TREASON KEEP (2001)
Lord Brakandaran informs me there is an invasion of Medalon impending.
Jennifer Fallon MEDALON (2001)
In other languages
invasion
British English: invasion NOUN
If there is an invasion of a country, a foreign army enters it by force.
...seven years after the Roman invasion of Britain.
American English: invasion
Brazilian Portuguese: invasão
Chinese: 入侵
European Spanish: invasión
French: invasion
German: Invasion
Italian: invasione
Japanese: 侵略
Korean: 침입
European Portuguese: invasão
Latin American Spanish: invasión
Chinese translation of 'invasion'
invasion
(ɪnˈveɪʒən)
n(c/u)
(Mil) 入侵 (rùqīn)
(fig) 侵袭(襲) (qīnxí)
an invasion of privacy对(對)隐(隱)私的侵犯 (duì yǐnsī de qīnfàn)
1 (noun)
Definition
the act of invading with armed forces
seven years after the Roman invasion of Britain
Synonyms
attack
a campaign of air attacks on strategic targets
assault
The rebels are poised for a new assault.
capture
takeover
raid
The rebels attempted a surprise raid on a military camp.
offensive
The armed forces have launched an offensive to recapture lost ground.
occupation
The site dates back to the Roman occupation of Britain.
conquering
seizure
I was prescribed drugs to control seizures.
onslaught
a military onslaught against the rebels
foray
She made her first forays into politics.
appropriation
fraud and illegal appropriation of land
sortie
annexation
the country's annexation of its neighbour
incursion
armed incursions into border areas by rebel forces
expropriation (formal)
illegal expropriation of their assets
inroad
irruptionarrogation
2 (noun)
Seaside resorts are preparing for an invasion of tourists.
Synonyms
flood
Each year brings a flood of new university graduates.
flow
watching the quiet flow of the olive-green water
rush
A rush of affection swept over him.
arrival
influx
The expansion programme brought an influx of new pilots.
convergence
inflow
incursion
inundation
He was faced with an inundation of lawsuits.
inrush
3 (noun)
Definition
any intrusion
Reading your child's diary is a gross invasion of privacy.
Synonyms
intrusion
I felt it was a grotesque intrusion into our lives.
breach
The congressman was accused of a breach of secrecy laws.
violation
Legal action will be initiated for defamation and violation of privacy.
disturbance
The home would cause less disturbance than a school.
disruption
infringement
infringement of privacy
overstepping
infiltration
encroachment
This is a sign of the encroachment of commercialism in medicine.
infraction
Another infraction would mean a stint in a probation centre.
usurpation
Additional synonyms
in the sense of annexation
the country's annexation of its neighbour
Synonyms
seizure,
takeover,
occupation,
conquest,
appropriation,
annexing,
expropriation (formal),
arrogation
in the sense of appropriation
fraud and illegal appropriation of land
Synonyms
seizure,
taking,
takeover,
assumption,
annexation,
confiscation,
commandeering,
expropriation (formal),
pre-emption,
usurpation,
impoundment,
arrogation
in the sense of arrogation
Synonyms
seizure,
demand,
assumption,
appropriation,
presumption,
commandeering,
expropriation (formal),
usurpation
Synonyms of 'invasion'
invasion
Explore 'invasion' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of assault
Definition
a violent attack, either physical or verbal
The rebels are poised for a new assault.
Synonyms
attack,
campaign,
strike,
rush,
storm,
storming,
raid,
invasion,
charge,
offensive,
onset,
onslaught,
foray,
incursion,
act of aggression,
inroad
in the sense of breach
Definition
a breaking of a promise, obligation, etc.
The congressman was accused of a breach of secrecy laws.
Synonyms
nonobservance,
abuse,
violation,
infringement,
trespass,
disobedience,
transgression,
contravention,
infraction,
noncompliance
in the sense of disturbance
Definition
an interruption or intrusion
The home would cause less disturbance than a school.
Synonyms
upset,
bother,
disorder,
confusion,
distraction,
intrusion,
interruption,
annoyance,
agitation,
hindrance,
perturbation,
derangement
in the sense of encroachment
This is a sign of the encroachment of commercialism in medicine.
Synonyms
intrusion,
invasion,
violation,
infringement,
trespass,
incursion,
usurpation,
inroad,
impingement
in the sense of expropriation
illegal expropriation of their assets
Synonyms
seizure,
takeover,
impounding,
confiscation,
commandeering,
requisitioning,
sequestration,
disseisin
in the sense of flow
Definition
the act, rate, or manner of flowing
watching the quiet flow of the olive-green water
Synonyms
stream,
current,
movement,
motion,
course,
issue,
flood,
drift,
tide,
spate,
gush,
flux,
outpouring,
outflow,
undertow,
tideway
in the sense of foray
Definition
a short raid or incursion
She made her first forays into politics.
Synonyms
raid,
sally,
incursion,
inroad,
attack,
assault,
invasion,
swoop,
reconnaissance,
sortie,
irruption
in the sense of incursion
Definition
an inroad or encroachment
armed incursions into border areas by rebel forces
Synonyms
foray,
raid,
invasion,
penetration,
infiltration,
inroad,
irruption
in the sense of influx
Definition
the arrival or entry of many people or things
The expansion programme brought an influx of new pilots.
Synonyms
arrival,
flow,
rush,
invasion,
convergence,
inflow,
incursion,
inundation,
inrush
in the sense of infraction
Another infraction would mean a stint in a probation centre.
Synonyms
violation,
breach,
infringement,
breaking,
trespass,
transgression,
contravention,
nonfulfilment
Additional synonyms
in the sense of infringement
infringement of privacy
Synonyms
contravention,
breach,
violation,
trespass,
transgression,
infraction,
noncompliance,
nonobservance
in the sense of inundation
He was faced with an inundation of lawsuits.
Synonyms
onslaught,
flood,
torrent,
tidal wave,
charge,
attack,
assault,
offensive,
blitz,
onset,
onrush
in the sense of occupation
Definition
the act of occupying or the state of being occupied
The site dates back to the Roman occupation of Britain.
Synonyms
invasion,
seizure,
conquest,
incursion,
subjugation,
foreign rule
in the sense of offensive
Definition
an attack or hostile action
The armed forces have launched an offensive to recapture lost ground.
Synonyms
attack,
charge,
campaign,
strike,
push (informal),
rush,
assault,
raid,
drive,
invasion,
onslaught,
foray,
incursion
in the sense of onslaught
Definition
a violent attack
a military onslaught against the rebels
Synonyms
attack,
charge,
campaign,
strike,
rush,
assault,
raid,
invasion,
offensive,
blitz,
onset,
foray,
incursion,
onrush,
inroad
in the sense of raid
Definition
a sudden surprise attack
The rebels attempted a surprise raid on a military camp.
Synonyms
attack,
invasion,
seizure,
onset,
foray,
sortie,
incursion,
surprise attack,
hit-and-run attack,
sally,
inroad,
irruption
in the sense of rush
Definition
a sudden surge of sensation
A rush of affection swept over him.
Synonyms
surge,
flow,
flood,
thrill,
flush,
gush,
spurt
in the sense of seizure
Definition
a sudden violent attack of an illness, such as an epileptic convulsion
I was prescribed drugs to control seizures.
Synonyms
attack,
fit,
spasm,
convulsion,
paroxysm
in the sense of violation
Legal action will be initiated for defamation and violation of privacy.