invade
gb/ɪnvˈeɪd/ us/ɪnvˈeɪd/
B2
English
~ 10000
lerohan, megszáll, betolakodik, megsért, ellep, eláraszt, behatol, beszűr
VERB
B2
1
Usage pattern:
to invade [a country/territory]
The army planned to invade the country at dawn.
A hadsereg azt tervezte, hogy hajnalban lerohanja az országot.
In 1939, German forces invaded Poland, starting the war in Europe.
1939-ben a német erők lerohanták Lengyelországot, és ezzel megkezdődött a háború Európában.
They feared that the powerful neighbor might invade their territory.
Allies agreed that they would not invade the region without a clear mandate.
He argued that the decision to invade was both illegal and unnecessary.
Learner examples
The soldiers invaded the small country.
A katonák lerohanták a kis országot.
In the film, aliens invade Earth.
A filmben földönkívüliek szállják meg a Földet.
The king wanted to invade the land to the north.
Many people died when the army invaded their city.
The general said they would invade at night.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say "invade into a country" or "invade to a country". The correct pattern is "invade a country" without a preposition. Also, "invade" is usually used for large, organized forces, not for individual people in everyday arguments.
Meaning
enter a country by military force
Collocations
invade a country
|invade a territory
|invade a neighboring state
|troops invade
|plan to invade
|threaten to invade
Synonyms
attack (More general; does not always suggest entering and taking control of land, while "invade" strongly implies crossing into another area.)
Antonyms
withdraw (Refers to pulling soldiers out of an area, the opposite of sending them in to invade.)
Themes
war
|politics
|history
|law
Definition
To enter another country with soldiers in order to fight and control it.
To enter a country or region with an armed force, especially in order to take control of it.
VERB
B2
2
betolakodik
B2
megsért
B2
Usage pattern:
to invade [someone's privacy/personal space]
Constant phone notifications invade our privacy and concentration.
Az állandó telefonértesítések beleavatkoznak a magánszféránkba, és a koncentrációnkat is zavarják.
She felt the reporter's questions invaded her privacy.
Úgy érezte, hogy az újságíró kérdései sértik a magánszféráját.
The loud tourists invaded his personal space on the train.
He didn't want his work life to invade his time with family.
They complained that security cameras were starting to invade their sense of privacy.
Learner examples
The camera invades my privacy.
A kamera sérti a magánszférámat.
Please do not invade my personal space.
Kérlek, ne tolakodj ennyire közel hozzám.
He felt the questions invaded his private life.
I don't want my job to invade my free time.
Social media can invade our privacy.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say "invade to my privacy"; the correct pattern is "invade my privacy" with no preposition. They may also confuse "invade" with "interrupt", but "invade" suggests going too far into private areas, not just stopping an activity.
Meaning
intrude on privacy or personal space
Collocations
invade someone's privacy
|invade your personal space
|invade her thoughts
|invade his life
|technology invades
|advertising invades
Synonyms
intrude on (Very close in meaning, but slightly softer; "invade" often sounds stronger and more negative.)
Antonyms
respect (To respect someone's privacy or space is the opposite of invading it.)
Themes
privacy
|relationships
|society
|communication
Definition
To go into someone’s private life, space, or time in a way they do not want.
To disturb or limit someone's privacy, personal space, or time by entering it or becoming too involved without welcome or permission.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
to invade [a place]
Each summer, tourists invade the small coastal town.
Minden nyáron turisták lepik el a kis tengerparti várost.
Ants invaded the kitchen as soon as we left food out.
Amint ételt hagytunk kint, a hangyák ellepték a konyhát.
Weeds quickly invaded the lawn after the heavy rain.
Reporters invaded the lobby, waiting for a comment.
After the game, excited fans invaded the pitch.
Learner examples
In July, tourists invade the city.
Júliusban turisták lepik el a várost.
Ants invade our kitchen every spring.
A hangyák minden tavasszal ellepik a konyhánkat.
Weeds invade the garden in the summer.
Fans invaded the field after the match.
Mice invaded the house during the winter.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this sense and say things like "students invaded the classroom" when they simply mean "entered". "Invade" should suggest that the number is large and that their presence is a problem or not welcome.
Meaning
enter a place in large numbers
Collocations
tourists invade
|ants invade the kitchen
|weeds invade the garden
|mice invade houses
|fans invade the field
|insects invade
Synonyms
overrun (Suggests being filled or covered by too many people or things; "invade" highlights the unwanted entry more strongly.)
Antonyms
leave (To go out of a place, the basic opposite of going in and filling it.)
Themes
daily_life
|environment
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To go into a place in a big group, in a way that is not wanted.
To go into a place in large numbers, often causing problems or being unwelcome.
VERB
C1
TECHNICAL
4
Usage pattern:
to invade [tissue/an area]
The cancer had begun to invade the surrounding tissue.
A rák már elkezdte beszűrni a környező szöveteket.
Once the virus invades the body, it multiplies rapidly.
Miután a vírus behatol a szervezetbe, gyorsan szaporodni kezd.
Doctors were concerned that the tumor might invade the nearby bone.
Invasive plants can invade wetlands and destroy native habitats.
The study shows how malignant cells invade healthy organs.
Learner examples
The cancer invaded his lungs.
A rák átterjedt a tüdejére.
The virus invades the body very fast.
A vírus nagyon gyorsan behatol a szervezetbe.
These plants invade the forest and kill other plants.
The disease invaded many parts of her body.
New fish invade the lake and change it.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use this technical sense in casual contexts where a simpler verb like "enter" or "spread" is more natural. In medical or scientific writing, however, "invade" is preferred when something harmful spreads into tissue or an area.
Meaning
spread into and occupy something
Collocations
cells invade tissue
|cancer invades the lungs
|tumor invades nearby organs
|virus invades the body
|bacteria invade
|species invade new habitats
Synonyms
penetrate (Focuses on entering; "invade" more strongly suggests spreading and taking over in a harmful way.)
Antonyms
recede (Describes a disease or harmful process moving back or becoming smaller, the opposite of invading further.)
Themes
medicine
|science
|environment
|health
Definition
To move into and spread through part of a body, place, or thing, usually in a harmful way.
To spread into and occupy part of an organism, structure, or area, often causing damage or harm.
Grammar
Dictionary form
invade
IPA
GB/ɪnvˈeɪd/
US/ɪnvˈeɪd/
Syllables & stress
in - vade (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (vade)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: invade
- 3rd Person Singular: invades
- Present Participle: invading
- Past: invaded
Word family
Expressions
invade someone's privacy
1/ɪnvˈeɪd sˈʌmwˌʌnz pɹˈaɪvəsi/
fixed phrase
go too far into someone’s private life
To look into or affect someone’s private life in a way they do not want or did not agree to.
Examples
- Publishing those photos without her consent clearly invaded her privacy.
- Many people feel that constant online tracking invades their privacy.
- He refused to answer, saying the question invaded his privacy.