Incursion: meaning, definitions and examples

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incursion

[ɪnˈkɜːrʒən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

military

An incursion is a sudden invasion or attack into a territory, usually carried out by a small group of individuals or a small army. It is a brief and often unexpected violent or hostile act.

Synonyms

infiltration, invasion, raid.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
incursion	Used when referring to a sudden or brief aggressive entrance into a place or area, typically causing some form of disruption. The village was peaceful until a sudden military incursion disturbed its tranquility. Police forces are prepared to respond to any incursion into restricted areas.
invasion	Describes a large-scale entry into a place or area, often by an armed force with the intent of occupying or conquering it. It has a strong negative connotation. The invasion led to widespread devastation and the displacement of thousands of people. Historians study the invasion to understand its impact on the local culture.
raid	Indicates a sudden and surprise attack, typically by a smaller force, aimed at seizing supplies or causing damage. Often used in a military or law enforcement context. The police conducted a raid on the suspected drug dealer's house. During the night, the soldiers carried out a raid on the enemy camp.
infiltration	Refers to the act of entering or gaining access to an organization, place, or group, often secretly and with the intent of causing harm or gathering information. The intelligence agency thwarted an attempt at infiltration by foreign spies. The company has strict security protocols to prevent the infiltration of competitors.

Examples of usage

The enemy forces made a daring incursion into our territory under the cover of darkness.
The incursion by the rebels caught the government forces off guard.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

business

In business, an incursion refers to a competitive intrusion into a market or territory already dominated by another company. It involves entering a new market or segment, often causing disruption and competition.

Synonyms

encroachment, infiltration, penetration.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
incursion	Use 'incursion' to describe a sudden or brief invasion or attack, often in a military context. The enemy made several incursions into our territory last night The wildlife reserve has faced incursions from poachers
infiltration	Infiltration is used when someone or something secretly enters or becomes established within an organization, place, or group, often for malicious or strategic purposes. The spy was able to achieve complete infiltration of the enemy headquarters The infiltration of the computer system was discovered too late to stop the damage
penetration	Penetration is best used to describe breaking through a barrier or gaining access, and it can be used in a wide range of contexts, including business, technology, and physical entry. The company's market penetration strategy was highly effective The missile's penetration capabilities were tested under extreme conditions
encroachment	This word is appropriate when describing the gradual intrusion or overstepping of boundaries, typically coming with a negative connotation. The construction of new buildings is causing an encroachment on the local park The company is facing backlash for its encroachment into residential areas

Examples of usage

The tech giant's incursion into the music streaming industry shook up the market.
Our company needs to plan a strategic incursion into the international market.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

general

An incursion can also refer to a sudden and brief hostile entrance or intrusion into a place where one is not welcome. It can be a physical or metaphorical invasion of personal space or privacy.

Synonyms

interruption, intrusion, invasion.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
incursion	typically used to describe a sudden or brief invasion or attack, often by a small force or for a short duration. The army quickly repelled the enemy's incursion into their territory. There was an incursion of wild animals into the town during the night.
intrusion	implies entering someone's space or privacy without permission, often seen as rude or unwelcome. She felt an intrusion into her personal life when her boss asked about her relationship. The intrusion of the neighbor's loud music disrupted our evening.
invasion	used to describe a large-scale attack or entering of an area, usually by a military force; can also metaphorically refer to overwhelming entries into personal space or domains. The country faced an invasion by enemy forces. There was an invasion of privacy when her emails were hacked.
interruption	refers to a temporary halt or pause in an activity or process, often caused by an external factor. He was annoyed by the constant interruptions during his presentation. The rain caused an interruption to the outdoor event.

Examples of usage

The unexpected incursion of paparazzi into the celebrity's private event caused chaos.
His incursion into her thoughts and emotions caught her by surprise.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'incursio', meaning 'a running in' or 'a raid'.
Its roots are formed from 'in-' (into) and 'currere' (to run), highlighting the idea of rushing into a place.
In early English, it was used primarily in military contexts, reflecting its origins in warfare.

Military History

Incursions have played a pivotal role in countless historical conflicts, often leading to significant territorial changes.
The term became more common during the medieval period when raids by Vikings were labeled as incursions against communities.
In modern conflicts, incursions can refer to special operations or targeted strikes against enemies in foreign territories.

Science

Ecological incursions often refer to invasive species entering new habitats, disrupting local ecosystems.
Human incursions into wildlife habitats can lead to critical issues such as habitat destruction and endangerment of species.
In geology, the term may describe the intrusion of magma into existing rock formations, creating new landforms.

Literature

The concept of incursions appears in various literary works where characters face unexpected challenges or invasions.
Many dystopian novels use the idea of incursions to explore themes of loss of privacy or autonomy through an invading force.
Shakespeare often referenced the idea of incursions in his plays, illustrating the human condition when faced with external conflicts.

Pop Culture

In video games, 'incursions' often represent events where players must protect their territory from invaders or progress through new challenges.
Movies and series featuring aliens or zombies often include scenes of incursions, marking the start of chaos in familiar settings.
The term is frequently used in military-themed films to describe tactical surprise attacks or breaches.

Translations

Translations of the word "incursion" in other languages:

🇵🇹 incursão

🇮🇳 आक्रमण

🇩🇪 Einfall

🇮🇩 penyusupan

🇺🇦 вторгнення

🇵🇱 najechanie

🇯🇵 侵入 (しんにゅう)

🇫🇷 incursion

🇪🇸 incursión

🇹🇷 akın

🇰🇷 침입 (침략)

🇸🇦 غزو

🇨🇿 vpád

🇸🇰 vpád

🇨🇳 入侵 (rùqīn)

🇸🇮 vpad

🇮🇸 innrás

🇰🇿 басып кіру

🇬🇪 შეჭრა

🇦🇿 hücum

🇲🇽 incursión

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,957, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

...
21954 mercilessly
21955 calibrate
21956 rickety
21957 incursion
21958 undying
21959 scheming
21960 forebears
...