Invasive: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when describing something that is aggressively spreading and has the potential to cause harm or difficulty. Often used in medical, biological, or environmental contexts.

• The invasive species have disrupted the local ecosystem
• The surgery required an invasive procedure

Used when someone or something is unwelcome and is interfering in a person's privacy or peace. It has a negative connotation.

• The reporter's questions were very intrusive
• The constant notifications on my phone are intrusive

Used when something is slowly entering or taking over space that does not belong to it, often used in reference to physical space, rights, or time.

• Urban development is encroaching on wildlife habitats
• Winter is encroaching upon the last days of autumn

Used when something or someone is secretly entering or gaining access to an area or group, often with the intent to cause harm or gather information. Commonly used in military or espionage contexts.

• The spy was able to infiltrate the enemy base
• Water was infiltrating the basement through small cracks

Invasive is usually applied to describe something that spreads aggressively, especially in terms of medical conditions or species that are not native and cause harm to an ecosystem.

• The invasive species of plant took over the garden
• The doctor said the cancer is invasive and needs to be treated immediately

Penetrating often describes something that goes through or into something, and can be used both literally and figuratively.

• The soldier received a penetrating wound
• She asked a penetrating question that made everyone think deeply

Injurious is used to describe something that causes harm or damage, often in a more general context, not necessarily medical.

• Smoking is injurious to your health
• His defamatory comments were injurious to her reputation

Surgical specifically relates to surgery or the precise procedures often performed by surgeons. It can be used both in a literal medical context or figuratively to describe precision.

• The surgical team prepared for the operation
• The manager made a surgical decision to remove the least profitable product from the lineup