in·va·sive
in-ˈvā-siv 
-ziv
1
: tending to spread especially in a quick or aggressive manner: such as
a
of a non-native organism
: growing and dispersing easily usually to the detriment of native species and ecosystems
It will be the second Australian insect released to thwart melaleuca, one of many exponentially spreading invasive plants that out-compete native Florida species, monopolizing wetlands and natural areas.—
Neil Santaniello
Neil SantanielloScientists say more than 150 invasive species have entered the Great Lakes, multiplying rapidly and feeding on native species or outcompeting with them for food.—Sophia Taren
Sophia Taren
b(1)
of cancer cells
: tending to infiltrate surrounding healthy tissue
… this procedure preserves the architecture of the tissue sample, which is vital for determining whether tumor cells are invasive.—Andrew A. Skolnick
Andrew A. Skolnick
(2)
of a pathogenic microorganism or disease
: disseminating from a localized area throughout the body
sepsis association with invasive bacteria
invasive streptococcal infection
2
: involving entry into the living body (as by incision or by insertion of an instrument)
invasive diagnostic techniques
3
: of, relating to, or characterized by military aggression
4
: tending to infringe
invasiveness
noun
: an organism that is not native to the place where found and tends to grow and spread easily usually to the detriment of native species and ecosystems
Zebra mussels are the latest in a series of aquatic invasives to threaten Texas' inland waters.—Shannon Tompkins
Shannon TompkinsExamples of invasive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Courier-Journal, 2 Feb. 2023
It can also be implanted with minimally invasive surgery, so doctors can deliver high doses of IL-2 directly to the tumors.
—Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 25 Aug. 2022
Scott Travers, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Dave Schmid, of Chicago’s Beverly community, and Andi Edington, of Munster, Indiana, regularly volunteer, gathering seed and helping to clear away invasives.
—Susan Degrane, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for invasive 
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Adjective
On this hike learn about the origins of invasive species, as well as their impact on native plants and animals and their habitats.
—The Courier-Journal, 2 Feb. 2023
It can also be implanted with minimally invasive surgery, so doctors can deliver high doses of IL-2 directly to the tumors.
—Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 25 Aug. 2022
Noun
And yet, this modest snake is one of the most destructive invasives in the world, directly responsible for the extinction of over a dozen animal species and indirectly responsible for the decline of an entire island ecosystem.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Dave Schmid, of Chicago’s Beverly community, and Andi Edington, of Munster, Indiana, regularly volunteer, gathering seed and helping to clear away invasives.
—Susan Degrane, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for invasive
Dictionary Entries Near invasive
Cite this Entry
“Invasive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/invasive. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
invasive
adjective
in·va·sive
in-ˈvā-siv
-ziv
: tending to spread
especially
: tending to invade healthy tissue
invasive cancer cells
Medical Definition
invasive
adjective
in·va·sive
-siv, -ziv
1
: tending to spread
2
: involving entry into the living body (as by incision or by insertion of an instrument)
invasive diagnostic techniques
invasiveness
noun
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