invasive
Spreading where unwelcome
Invasive describes something that intrudes where it doesn't belong or spreads aggressively.
An invasive species colonizes new territory and displaces native life.
An invasive procedure enters the body surgically.
Invasive questions probe into private matters.
The word carries connotations of unwelcome encroachment—whether biological, medical, or personal.
Aggressive Asian climbing plant
- zebra musselsInvasive striped freshwater mollusks
- lionfishVenomous striped reef fish
- Asian carpInvasive freshwater fish species
- cane toadLarge venomous tropical amphibian
Burmese python · water hyacinth · starlings · fire ant · nutria · feral pig · cheatgrass · buckthorn
Invading others' privacy
- uninvitedWithout formal welcome
- unwantedNot wished for
- meddlesomeProne to interfering
- obtrusiveUnpleasantly prominent or noticeable
prying · nosy · imposition · interference · privacy · presumptuous · impertinent · overbearing
Disease-causing microorganism
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- contagionDisease spread by contact
- spreadingExtending over space
- metastaticHaving spread from origin
virulent · parasitic · infestation · malignant · colonization · host · vector · transmission
Unauthorized entry into space
- encroachmentGradual intrusion on territory
- trespassUnauthorized entry onto property
- infringeViolate another's rights
- overstepExceed proper limits
penetrate · infiltrate · breach · impinge · spread · creeping · advance · overreach
Invasive medical procedure
- biopsyTissue sample for diagnosis
- procedurePrescribed sequence of actions
- incisionControlled cut into tissue
- laparoscopyMinimally invasive abdominal examination
endoscopy · catheterization · anesthesia · scalpel · colonoscopy · angioplasty · intubation · arterial line
Exerting strong pressure
- hostileAggressively unfriendly
- threateningExpressing intent to harm
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
- coerciveUsing pressure to compel
intimidating · belligerent · confrontational · bullying · antagonistic · militant · offensive · combative
kudzu
Aggressive Asian climbing plant
- zebra musselsInvasive striped freshwater mollusks
- lionfishVenomous striped reef fish
- Asian carpInvasive freshwater fish species
cane toad · Burmese python · water hyacinth · starlings · fire ant · nutria · feral pig · cheatgrass · buckthorn · gypsy moth
intrusive
Invading others' privacy
- uninvitedWithout formal welcome
- unwantedNot wished for
- meddlesomeProne to interfering
obtrusive · prying · nosy · imposition · interference · privacy · presumptuous · impertinent · overbearing · pushy
pathogen
Disease-causing microorganism
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- contagionDisease spread by contact
- spreadingExtending over space
metastatic · virulent · parasitic · infestation · malignant · colonization · host · vector · transmission · systemic
intrusion
Unauthorized entry into space
- encroachmentGradual intrusion on territory
- trespassUnauthorized entry onto property
- infringeViolate another's rights
overstep · penetrate · infiltrate · breach · impinge · spread · creeping · advance · overreach · transgress
surgery
Invasive medical procedure
- biopsyTissue sample for diagnosis
- procedurePrescribed sequence of actions
- incisionControlled cut into tissue
laparoscopy · endoscopy · catheterization · anesthesia · scalpel · colonoscopy · angioplasty · intubation · arterial line · lumbar puncture
forceful
Exerting strong pressure
- hostileAggressively unfriendly
- threateningExpressing intent to harm
- domineeringAggressively asserting control
coercive · intimidating · belligerent · confrontational · bullying · antagonistic · militant · offensive · combative · assaultive
- plant traitsthorny, spiny, evergreen, deciduous, flowering
- biology termscell, DNA, genetics, genetic, evolution
- overgrownovergrown, tangled, weedy, wild, unkempt
- oncologycancer, tumor, carcinoma, metastasis, malignancy
- medical adjectivessurgical, cardiac, orthopedic, malignant, respiratory
- Cancer Stagingstaging, stage 1, stage 2, stage 3, stage 4
invasivenoninvasive
Not penetrating tissue
non-invasive · nonsurgical · non-surgical · uninvasive · minimally invasive
invasiveunintrusive
Not imposing on others
nonintrusive · discreet · respectful · unobtrusive · tactful
invasivenative
Originating from a place
indigenous · endemic · noninvasive · non-invasive · naturalized
- Nazi invasionGerman military conquest, WWII
- alien invasionAttack from outer space
- invasion of privacyUnauthorized access to personal life
- home invasionUnlawful entry while occupied
- invasive speciesHarmful non-native organism
- Japanese invasionMilitary campaign from Tokyo
invasion, invasions, invasive species, noninvasive, invasively, invasiveness, reinvasion, non-invasive, invasives