Invasive Meaning
/ɪnˈveɪsɪv/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjOf or pertaining to invasion; offensive.
adjThat invades a foreign country using military force; also, militarily aggressive.
Sentence Examples
Sami's stepdad didn't want to be too invasive.
Sami's mom was very invasive.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ plant species from another country spreads quickly and destroys native plants.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The doctor recommended a more ____ procedure to accurately diagnose the patient's serious condition.
Word Origin & History
PIE word *h₁én The adjective is derived from Middle English invasif (“of a weapon: offensive”), from Middle French invasif, Old French invasif (“invasive”) (modern French invasif), from Medieval Latin invāsīvus, from Latin invāsus (“entered; invaded”) + -īvus (suffix forming adjectives). Invāsus is the perfect passive participle of invādō (“to enter; to invade”), from in- (prefix meaning ‘in, inside’) + vādō (“to go; to rush; to walk”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *weh₂dʰ- (“to go, proceed; to pass, traverse”)). The noun is derived from the adjective.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The Spanyards called their invaſive fleete againſt England the Navie Invincible, yet it was overcome."
— 1592, Tho[mas] Nashe, “The Arrainment and Execution of the Third Letter”, in Strange Newes, of the Intercepting Certaine Letters and a Convoy of Verses, […], London: […] Iohn Danter, […], →OCLC; republished in J[ohn] Payne Collier, editor, Illustrations of Early English Literature (Miscellaneous Tracts; Temp. Eliz. and Jac. I), volume II, London: Privately printed, [1867], →OCLC, page 52:
"Oh inglorious league: / Shall we vpon the footing of our land, / Send fayre-play-orders, and make comprimiſe, / Inſinuation, parley, and baſe truce / To Armes Inuaſiue?"
— c. 1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Iohn”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]:
"[…] The Parliaments Forces, neither would, nor lawfully might in point of Law or Conſcience forcibly reſiſt or repulſe their invaſive Armes, without danger or High Treaſon and Rebellion, […]"
— 1643, William Prynne, “[The Third Part of the Soveraigne Power of Parliaments and Kingdomes.] To the Reader”, in The Soveraigne Power of Parliaments and Kingdomes: […], London: […] Michael Sparke Senior, →OCLC:
"[T]he Sheriffe, or any of his Officers, for the better execution of Juſtice, may carry handguns or other weapons invaſive or defenſive, […]"
— 1650, Edward Coke, “St. Johns Case. 34. El. Banco Regis. fol. 71.”, in Thomas Ireland, compiler, An Exact Abridgment in English, of the Eleven Books of Reports of the Learned Sir Edward Coke, […], London: […] M. Simmons, for Matthew Walbancke, […], and H. Twyford […], →OCLC, book V, page 209:
"He managed to get back Lorraine; made truce with the Hungarians, who were excessively invasive at that time. Truce with the Hungarians; and then, having gathered strength, made dreadful beating of them; two beatings,—one to each half, for the invasive Savagery had split itself, for better chance of plunder; […]"
— 1858, Thomas Carlyle, “Brannibor: Henry the Fowler”, in History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Called Frederick the Great, volume I, London: Chapman and Hall, […], →OCLC, book II, page 70:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ plant species from another country spreads quickly and destroys native plants.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The doctor recommended a more ____ procedure to accurately diagnose the patient's serious condition.