Invasion can mean an unwantednot wanted or welcome; causing annoyance or harm entry or spread intoused to show movement toward the inside of something a place or area, the spread of disease or cancer into nearby body tissue, or a military attack on a country or region. The most common everyday use is the idea of something or someone entering in largebig in size, amount, or number numbers.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˌɪnˈveɪʒən/
Easy pronunciation: in-VAY-zhən (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress is on the second syllable: VAY.
Noun; use the meaning of unwanted entry or spread into a place.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Invasion Meaning
large-scale unwanted entry or spread into a place
Part of speech: noun
Definition: an entry into a place or area that was not previously occupied, especially when it is unwanted or overwhelming
Example: Tourists felt like an invasion in the small village during the holiday weekend.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- intrusion — A strong substitute when the meaning is unwanted entry or presence.
- encroachment — Works when the idea is gradual unwanted movement into an area, but is less general than invasion.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Invasion
Meaning 2
the spread of disease or cancer into body tissue
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the spread of pathogenic microorganisms or malignant cells to new sites in the body
Example: Doctors looked for signs of tumor invasion into nearby tissue.
Meaning 3
a military attack on a place or country
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the act of an army entering a country or region to conquer or attack
Example: The invasion began before dawn.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Invasion Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- intrusion
- encroachment
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not use invasion to mean any visit or appearance; it usually suggests something unwanted, overwhelming, or forceful.
- Encroachment is often more gradual than invasion.
- Intrusion is a close synonym for the unwanted-entry sense, but not for the medical or military senses.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the basic meaning of invasion?
Invasion usually means an unwanted or forceful entry into a place or area, or the spread of something into a new space.
What are the best synonyms for invasion?
For the main sense, intrusion and encroachment are the closest synonyms. The best choice depends on whether you mean a sudden unwanted entry or a gradual one.
Can invasion mean a military attack?
Yes. Invasion is also used for an army entering a country or region to conquer or attack.
Does invasion have a medical meaning?
Yes. In medicine, invasion can mean disease or cancer spreading into nearby tissue or other body sites.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
