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invasive

3 syllables
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As an adjective, invasive means of or pertaining to invasion. As a noun, it means an invasive organism, such as an animal or plant.

Meanings of invasive

12 meanings

adjective

  1. Of or pertaining to invasion; offensive.

  2. militaryalso figurativelyThat invades a foreign country using military force; also, militarily aggressive.

  3. Intrusive on one's privacy, rights, sphere of activity, etc.

  4. Originating externally.

  5. (biology) Of an animal or plant: that grows (especially uncontrollably) in environments which do not harbour natural enemies, often to the detriment of native species or of food or garden flora and fauna.

    “an invasive species”

  6. (medicine, surgery) Of a procedure: involving the entry of an instrument into part of the body.

  7. (pathology) Of a carcinoma or other abnormal growth: that invades healthy tissue, especially rapidly.

  8. Relating to a technique in which the body is entered by puncture or incision

  9. Marked by a tendency to spread especially into healthy tissue

    “invasive cancer cells”

  10. Involving invasion or aggressive attack

    “invasive war”

    Similar: incursive, invading
  11. Gradually intrusive without right or permission

    “we moved back from the encroaching tide”

    “invasive tourists”

    “trespassing hunters”

    Similar: encroaching, trespassing

noun

  1. biologyAn invasive organism, such as an animal or plant.

Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).

Synonyms by meaning

adjective: involving invasion or aggressive attack
incursiveinvading
adjective: gradually intrusive without right or permission
Oppositesnoninvasiveconfined

Words that rhyme with invasive

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