Skip to main content
to invade

to invade

77 4.1
To enter someone's space or private life without permission
  • verb
  • /ɪnˈveɪd/
translation icon : invadir
  • How can I remember anything when my bed gets invaded every morning at dawn.
  • invade privacy
  • invade personal space
  • invade citizens' rights

Jason, thank you for letting me invade your world.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • "Then I would be the last one to invade that privacy," he assured her kindly.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • "We decided on a penalty for the way you invaded our privacy," Roland said, speaking for all.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Jason, thank you for letting me invade your world.

  • I'm sorry if I invaded your space.

  • You are invading my space.

  • We don't mean to invade your privacy, but was he ill?

  • Now she has the further gall to invade my daughter's privacy, again without permission.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • I don't enjoy invading your privacy.

  • Every ghost story Diana had ever read invaded her mind like ugly, unwelcome guests.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • She apologized for invading my personal space during the conversation.

Synonyms

to intrude
vsto invade
105 4.4

To go into a place or conversation where you are not welcome

is broader covering forceful or organized entry beyond mere presence
to infringe
vsto invade
  • Formal
68 6.8

Break a rule or law and go against someone's rights

is broader applying to physical entry and to rights or privacy violations
to break in
vsto invade
30 3.4

To interrupt a conversation or activity without being invited

is about entering or encroaching broadly rather than only brief interruptions
to encroach
vsto invade
27 7.3

To gradually move into someone else's area, space, or rights without permission

is the gradual form of intrusive entry rather than sudden forceful entry
to intrude on
vsto invade
22 4.6

To go into someone's space or life without permission

is often a larger or more forceful entry affecting rights or privacy
to trespass
vsto invade
11 4.9

To go onto someone else's land without permission

focuses on property entry while the other covers rights and privacy too
to horn in
vsto invade
  • Informal
5 8.2

To join a conversation or activity without being invited

is broader and can describe large or formal unwelcome entries
to encroach upon
vsto invade
2 6.8

To gradually move into someone's personal space, rights or privacy

is usually slower and gradual rather than sudden intrusive entry
to obtrude
vsto invade
1 9.1

Push yourself into a place or conversation when people do not want you

is similar but can imply larger or more systematic entry or violation
to obtrude upon
vsto invade
8.7

To force yourself into someone's space or attention without being invited

is more forceful and can include large unwelcome entry or encroachment

Antonyms

466 2.8

To stop taking part in a place or activity

How Intrusive

to violate
67 4.9
to invade
77 4.1
to intrude
105 4.4
to encroach
27 7.3
to enter
1.0

Surface Forms

invade infinitive
invaded past
invaded past participle
invading present participle
invades third person singular

Morphology

invade = in + vade

Although historically analyzable as in- + vade, 'vade' is not a standalone English word and the prefix sense ('in/into') is not transparently productive for average learners, so the meaning cannot be reliably derived from the parts.

Etymology

Invade comes from the Latin parts in- 'into' and vadere 'to go'. Think of someone 'going into' your personal space or life without permission — that is why invade can mean to intrude on privacy or rights.