What does invading mean?
Invading describes someone or something that enters a place, territory, or sphere of activity with force, typically in a way that challenges local control or displaces existing inhabitants. It is most often associated with military action: an invading army or invading forces. The term can also be used figuratively for anything that intrudes forcefully, such as invading someone's privacy or personal space. In ecological contexts, an invading species is a non-native organism that spreads into a new habitat and may disrupt local ecosystems. As the present participle of invade, the word also retains an ongoing sense: an action that is entering, advancing, or making incursions.
adjectiveTaking part in or carrying out an invasion, especially by entering a place and threatening or overriding its inhabitants, government, or territory. It can also mean intruding forcefully into someone's space, rights, or privacy.
- Participating in an invasion or entering a place or territory by force.
- Intruding forcefully into someone's personal space, privacy, rights, or other domain.
"The invading forces occupied the border region for several months."
"The invading army advanced rapidly toward the capital."
"Her invading presence in the discussion made everyone uncomfortable."
An invading species can transform an ecosystem by competing with native life or changing its habitats.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does invading come from?
Invading ultimately comes from Latin invadere, meaning “to go into” or “to enter,” especially by force. The English verb invade developed through Old French and Latin roots and was established in English by the 16th century. Its cognate evade comes from the same Latin verb through a different development, while invader and invasion are later English derivatives of the same root.
Related word forms
How invading is actually used
The word is commonly used with armies, armies' actions, foreign troops, and other forces that enter territory by force. In extended figurative use, it can describe unwanted intrusion into privacy, personal space, or personal rights.
Easily confused with invading
An invading force enters or takes control of territory, whereas an eroding process gradually wears away a surface, structure, or support.