invade

invade — verb

1. to use military action to enter and gain power over another country or region

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to use military action to enter and gain power over another country or region

例句

In 1939, German forces invaded Poland, starting the war in Europe.

invade + country name; historical context

The army invaded the neighbouring kingdom and seized the capital within days.

invade + object (region); followed by consequence clause

同義詞
  • occupy

    suggests staying and controlling after entering, not just the act of entering

  • attack

    broader — can be a small-scale raid; does not imply taking control

  • storm

    suggests a sudden, violent assault on a specific position

反義詞

文法句型

invade + noun phrase (country/territory)

invade without object when location is clear from context

用法筆記

Subject is usually a nation, army, or military force. Frequently used in historical and political contexts. Can be used without a direct object when the target location is understood from context.

常見錯誤

❌The tourists invaded the country last summer.
✅The tourists visited / flocked to the country last summer.
💡'Invade' in this sense is specific to military action, not general travel.

2. to go into a place in great numbers, often causing harm or disruption and usuall

2.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

to go into a place in great numbers, often causing harm or disruption and usually without being welcome

例句

Every August, tourists invade the small coastal town, filling every hotel and restaurant.

invade + place; seasonal pattern

Ants invaded the kitchen through a crack near the window and covered the counter.

invade + location; concrete animal subject

同義詞
  • overrun

    suggests overwhelming and taking over completely, often with damage

  • flood

    less aggressive than 'invade'; can be neutral or positive

  • swarm

    suggests chaotic, moving crowds, especially insects or people

反義詞
  • clear out of

    implies leaving a place, opposite of entering in numbers

文法句型

invade + noun phrase (place/space)

invade without object when subject type makes meaning clear

用法筆記

Subject is typically a large group — people, animals, insects, or plants. Almost always carries a negative connotation of being unwanted or harmful. Can be used figuratively (e.g. 'fans invaded the pitch').

常見錯誤

❌Mosquitoes invaded my bedroom last night.' (too dramatic for everyday speech)
✅A mosquito got into my bedroom last night.
💡Reserve 'invade' for genuinely large numbers; use simpler verbs for isolated incidents.

3. to enter a market, industry, or area of activity with great force and a strong i

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

to enter a market, industry, or area of activity with great force and a strong impact, often disrupting existing players

例句

A Chinese tech company has invaded the European smartphone market with low-cost devices.

invade + market; business context

The streaming service invaded the television industry and changed how people watch shows.

invade + industry; followed by result

同義詞
  • enter

    neutral; no implication of force or disruption

  • penetrate

    formal, often used in marketing; suggests breaking into a closed market

  • disrupt

    focuses on the effect of changing existing patterns, not the act of entering

反義詞
  • withdraw from

    implies leaving a market or field of activity

  • exit

    neutral term for leaving a market

文法句型

invade + noun phrase (market/industry/field)

用法筆記

Common in business journalism and marketing contexts. Object is typically a market, sector, industry, or field. Carries a sense of aggressive or disruptive entry, not just participation.

常見錯誤

❌Our small bakery invaded the local market.
✅Our small bakery entered the local market.
💡'Invade' implies large-scale, forceful entry; use 'enter' or 'join' for modest operations.

4. to disturb or spoil a situation, experience, or quality for someone by entering

4.動詞及物C2
釋義

to disturb or spoil a situation, experience, or quality for someone by entering it without consideration for their feelings

例句

His rude comments invaded the warm atmosphere of the dinner party and made everyone uncomfortable.

invade + abstract atmosphere; cause-effect structure

The constant noise from the construction site invaded our peaceful afternoon at home.

invade + quality/state; passive-like structure

同義詞
  • intrude on

    slightly less strong; focuses on entering without invitation

  • encroach on

    formal, suggests gradual intrusion

  • trespass on

    suggests crossing a personal boundary, often with moral overtones

反義詞
  • respect

    the opposite of intruding upon someone's space or feelings

  • protect

    the action of keeping something safe from disturbance

文法句型

invade + noun phrase (abstract concept: privacy, peace, space, confidence)

用法筆記

Object must be an abstract noun (privacy, peace, space, atmosphere, confidence, mind) or a gerund phrase describing an experience. Unlike other senses, subject is often a non-physical force (noise, thoughts, comments).

常見錯誤

❌His questions invaded me.
✅His questions invaded my privacy.
💡Sense 4 does not take a person as direct object; the object must be the thing that is spoiled or intruded upon.