Invade vs. Conquer — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on May 12, 2024
Invade refers to the act of entering forcefully as an enemy, primarily focusing on the incursion aspect, while conquer implies taking control, often following an invasion, with an emphasis on dominance and subjugation.
Difference Between Invade and Conquer
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Invading is the initial act of entering another country or region using military force, often without intending to stay permanently. Whereas, conquering involves not only entering but also establishing control over a territory or people, usually with the intention of permanent dominance or incorporation into an empire.
Invaders might focus on disrupting the existing order, creating chaos, or seizing resources temporarily. On the other hand, conquerors aim to dismantle the existing government or leadership structure and replace it with their own, ensuring long-term control and governance.
The motive behind an invasion can be to demonstrate power, coerce, or extract concessions from another nation. In contrast, the goal of conquering is more about expansion and the permanent annexation of territories or integration of peoples into the conqueror's domain.
The process of invasion usually precedes that of conquest. It is the first step in a larger strategy that may lead to conquest if the invaders decide to establish lasting control. Conversely, conquest is often the end goal, involving a detailed plan for not just military takeover but also governance.
The consequences of invasion are typically immediate and disruptive, affecting the daily lives of people, their governance, and their military. Whereas the impact of conquest is transformative, leading to changes in the political landscape, culture, and even the identity of the conquered people.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To enter forcefully as an enemy, usually temporarily.
To take control or govern a place through force, with an intent of permanent dominance.
Intent
Disruption, demonstration of power, or temporary control.
Permanent control, annexation, and integration.
Process
Initial military action focusing on penetration of borders.
Follow-up to invasion, including establishing governance and control.
Goal
Often strategic or tactical, such as seizing resources.
Expansionist, integrating territories into one's own domain.
Typical Outcome
Temporary chaos, disruption, and potential retreat.
Permanent changes in governance, culture, and administration.
Compare with Definitions
Invade
To forcefully enter another territory as part of military aggression.
The army decided to invade the neighboring region at dawn.
Conquer
To overcome a problem or weakness.
She finally conquered her fear of flying.
Invade
To enter for the purpose of conquest or plunder.
The pirates planned to invade the coastal towns.
Conquer
To successfully ascend or surmount.
After hours of hiking, they conquered the mountain peak.
Invade
To encroach upon someone's privacy or space without permission.
He felt his coworkers were starting to invade his personal life.
Conquer
To be victorious over an adversary.
The chess master conquered all his opponents in the tournament.
Invade
To spread or permeate into undesired areas.
Invasive species began to invade the local ecosystem.
Conquer
To gain control of a territory through military victory.
The general aimed to conquer the rebel-held territories by the end of the year.
Invade
To enter by force in order to conquer or pillage
The Romans invaded Britain.
Conquer
To win or obtain something through effort.
He conquered the respect of his peers with his honest work.
Invade
To infiltrate an area with a large number of people or things.
Fans invaded the pitch after the game.
Conquer
To gain control of or subdue by military force
Conquered the neighboring lands.
Invade
(of an armed force) enter (a country or region) so as to subjugate or occupy it
During the Second World War the island was invaded by the Axis powers
Conquer
To defeat in war
The Greeks conquered the Persians.
Invade
To enter as if by invading; overrun or crowd
Each weekend, skiers invade the mountain town.
Conquer
To eliminate or minimize (a difficulty, for example)
Vaccines that conquered smallpox.
Programs to conquer poverty.
Invade
To enter and proliferate in bodily tissue, as a pathogen
Bacteria have invaded the lungs.
Conquer
To overcome or surmount mentally or emotionally
You must conquer your fear of heights.
Invade
To encroach or intrude on; violate
Invade someone's privacy.
Conquer
To reach the summit of (a mountain) by climbing.
Invade
To make an invasion
The cancer had invaded deeply into his liver.
Conquer
To gain the affection or admiration of
Back when jazz conquered Paris.
Invade
(transitive) To move into.
Under some circumstances police are allowed to invade a person's privacy.
Conquer
To seduce.
Invade
(transitive) To enter by force in order to conquer.
Argentinian troops invaded the Falkland Islands in 1982.
Conquer
To be victorious; win.
Invade
(transitive) To infest or overrun.
The picnic was invaded by ants.
Conquer
To defeat in combat; to subjugate.
Invade
To attack; to infringe; to encroach on; to violate.
The king invaded the rights of the people.
Conquer
To acquire by force of arms, win in war; to become ruler of; to subjugate.
In 1453, the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople.
Invade
To make an unwelcome or uninvited visit or appearance, usually with an intent to cause trouble or some other unpleasant situation.
Conquer
To overcome an abstract obstacle.
Today I conquered my fear of flying by finally boarding a plane.
To conquer difficulties or temptations
Invade
To go into or upon; to pass within the confines of; to enter; - used of forcible or rude ingress.
Which becomes a body, and doth then invadeThe state of life, out of the grisly shade.
Conquer
(dated) To gain, win, or obtain by effort.
To conquer freedom;
To conquer a peace
Invade
To enter with hostile intentions; to enter with a view to conquest or plunder; to make an irruption into; to attack; as, the Romans invaded Great Britain.
Such an enemyIs risen to invade us.
Conquer
To gain or acquire by force; to take possession of by violent means; to gain dominion over; to subdue by physical means; to reduce; to overcome by force of arms; to cause to yield; to vanquish.
If we be conquer'd, let men conquer us.
We conquered France, but felt our captive's charms.
Invade
To attack; to infringe; to encroach on; to violate; as, the king invaded the rights of the people.
Conquer
To subdue or overcome by mental or moral power; to surmount; as, to conquer difficulties, temptation, etc.
By winning words to conquer hearts,And make persuasion do the work of fear.
Invade
To grow or spread over; to affect injuriously and progressively; as, gangrene invades healthy tissue.
Conquer
To gain or obtain, overcoming obstacles in the way; to win; as, to conquer freedom; to conquer a peace.
Invade
To make an invasion.
Conquer
To gain the victory; to overcome; to prevail.
He went forth conquering and to conquer.
The champions resolved to conquer or to die.
Invade
March aggressively into another's territory by military force for the purposes of conquest and occupation;
Hitler invaded Poland on September 1, 1939
Conquer
To put down by force or authority;
Suppress a nascent uprising
Stamp down on littering
Conquer one's desires
Invade
To intrude upon, infringe, encroach on, violate;
This new colleague invades my territory
The neighbors intrude on your privacy
Conquer
Take possession of by force, as after an invasion;
The invaders seized the land and property of the inhabitants
The army seized the town
The militia captured the castle
Invade
Occupy in large numbers or live on a host;
The Kudzu plant infests much of the South and is spreading to the North
Conquer
Overcome by conquest;
Conquer your fears
Conquer a country
Invade
Penetrate or assault, in a harmful or injurious way;
The cancer had invaded her lungs
Common Curiosities
Is invasion always a part of conquest?
Typically, yes, invasion is a precursor to conquest, as it involves entering the territory that one intends to later control.
What does it mean to conquer a problem?
Conquering a problem means overcoming it completely, often after a significant struggle or effort.
How does an invasion impact the local population compared to a conquest?
An invasion often leads to immediate fear, displacement, and chaos among the local population, whereas a conquest can result in more profound and lasting changes including shifts in governance, culture, and societal norms.
How do historical examples of invasion differ from those of conquest?
Historical examples of invasion might include rapid military campaigns intended for looting or demonstrating power, such as the Mongol invasions. In contrast, examples of conquest often involve prolonged campaigns with the aim of integration, like the Roman conquests which sought to Romanize the conquered regions.
Can environmental factors influence an invasion?
Yes, environmental factors like climate, terrain, and geographical barriers can significantly influence the strategy and success of an invasion, affecting the invaders’ ability to penetrate and hold territory.
What is the primary difference between invade and conquer?
Invade refers to the act of entering forcefully, often temporarily, while conquer implies establishing permanent control over an area.
Can a country invade another without intending to conquer it?
Yes, a country can invade another for tactical reasons, such as to disrupt strategic operations or seize resources, without plans for long-term control.
Can invasion occur without military force?
Yes, the term "invade" can also be used metaphorically to describe any situation where there is an unwelcome intrusion, such as privacy invasion.
What role does culture play in conquest?
Culture plays a significant role in conquests; conquerors may impose their own culture on a defeated people, which can lead to cultural assimilation or resistance, fundamentally altering the social fabric of the conquered area.
What are typical motives behind a conquest?
Typical motives for conquest include the desire for territorial expansion, control over strategic resources, or the imposition of a particular ideology or governance structure over the conquered area.
Is it possible for a conquest to be peaceful?
While conquest typically involves force, there are instances where conquest can be relatively peaceful, such as through diplomatic pressure or when a smaller state willingly joins a larger one for economic or security benefits.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
