Invasive Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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invasive
[ɪnˈveɪsɪv ]
Definitions
ecology
Tending to intrude on a person's thoughts or privacy; unwelcome or unwanted.
Synonyms
encroaching, infiltrating, intrusive.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| invasive |
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.
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| intrusive |
Used when someone or something is unwelcome and is interfering in a person's privacy or peace. It has a negative connotation.
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| encroaching |
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.
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| infiltrating |
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.
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Examples of usage
- This invasive species is causing harm to the local ecosystem.
- The plant's invasive roots have spread throughout the garden.
medicine
Relating to a medical procedure in which the body is entered by puncture or incision.
Synonyms
injurious, penetrating, surgical.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| invasive |
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.
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| penetrating |
Penetrating often describes something that goes through or into something, and can be used both literally and figuratively.
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| injurious |
Injurious is used to describe something that causes harm or damage, often in a more general context, not necessarily medical.
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| surgical |
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.
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Examples of usage
- The doctor recommended an invasive surgery to remove the tumor.
- Invasive diagnostic tests may be necessary to determine the cause of the symptoms.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Ecology
- Invasive species can outcompete native plants and animals for resources like food and space.
- Some invasive species, like the zebra mussel, can cause severe damage to local ecosystems and even human infrastructure.
- Approximately 42% of threatened or endangered species have been negatively affected by invasive species.
Health
- Invasive medical procedures involve entering the body, often through surgery, to treat a condition.
- The term can also refer to cancer that starts in one place and spreads to other parts of the body.
Literature
- In literature, 'invasive' can describe narratives or themes that disrupt traditional structures, challenging readers to think critically.
- Many authors use invasive descriptions to evoke strong imagery or emotions, making the reader feel overwhelmed or threatened.
Technology
- Invasive advertising techniques, such as pop-ups and intrusive ads, are often criticized for disrupting the user experience.
- Invasive data collection methods in technology often raise ethical concerns related to privacy and consent.
Origin of 'invasive'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'invasive' comes from the Latin word 'invasus', which means to attack or invade.
- It was originally used in a medical context to describe diseases that spread through the body.
The word 'invasive' originates from the Latin word 'invasivus', which means 'to enter'. The term was first used in the mid-16th century to describe something that intrudes or encroaches upon a space or territory. Over time, 'invasive' has evolved to encompass various fields such as ecology, medicine, and technology, reflecting its versatile nature in describing intrusive or penetrating characteristics.