Conquest vs. Invasion — What's the Difference?

The act of conquering a country or territory.

An instance of invading a country or region with an armed force.

The subjugation and assumption of control of a place or people by military force.

The act of entering as if to take possession.

The overcoming of a problem or weakness.

An incursion by a large number of people or things into a place or sphere of activity.

A victory gained through conflict, typically involving the subjugation of a people.

An unwelcome intrusion into another's domain.

A person whose favor or heart has been won.

The spread of something, usually undesirable, into a new area.

Conquest is the act of military subjugation of an enemy by force of arms. Military history provides many examples of conquest: the Roman conquest of Gaul, the Mauryan conquest of Afghanistan and of vast areas of the Indian subcontinent, the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire and various Arab conquests, all of which were successful in bringing foreign states under the conquerors' control.

An invasion is a military offensive in which large numbers of combatants of one geopolitical entity aggressively enter territory owned by another such entity, generally with the objective of either conquering; liberating or re-establishing control or authority over a territory; forcing the partition of a country; altering the established government or gaining concessions from said government; or a combination thereof. An invasion can be the cause of a war, be a part of a larger strategy to end a war, or it can constitute an entire war in itself.

The act or process of conquering

The act of invading, especially the entrance of an armed force into a territory to conquer.

Something, such as territory, acquired by conquering.

The entry into bodily tissue and subsequent proliferation of an injurious entity, such as a pathogen or tumor.

A person or group whose affection or admiration has been gained

An intrusion or encroachment

A person who has been seduced by another.

A military action consisting of armed forces of one geopolitical entity entering territory controlled by another such entity, generally with the objective of conquering territory or altering the established government.

Victory gained through combat; the subjugation of an enemy.

The entry without consent of an individual or group into an area where they are not wanted.

An act or instance of overcoming an obstacle.

(medicine) The spread of cancer cells, bacteries and such to the organism.

That which is conquered; possession gained by force, physical or moral.

(surgery) The breaching of the skin barrier.

The acquiring of property by other means than by inheritance; acquisition.

The act of invading; the act of encroaching upon the rights or possessions of another; encroachment; trespass.

(video games) A competitive mode found in first-person shooter games in which competing teams (usually two) attempt to take over predetermined spawn points labeled by flags.

A warlike or hostile entrance into the possessions or domains of another; the incursion of an army for conquest or plunder.

(archaic) To conquer.

The incoming or first attack of anything hurtful or pernicious; as, the invasion of a disease.

(marketing) To compete with an established competitor by placing advertisements for one's own products adjacent to editorial content relating to the competitor or by using terms and keywords for one's own products that are currently associated with the competitor.

The act of invading; the act of an army that invades for conquest or plunder

The act or process of conquering, or acquiring by force; the act of overcoming or subduing opposition by force, whether physical or moral; subjection; subjugation; victory.

Any entry into an area not previously occupied;

That which is conquered; possession gained by force, physical or moral.

(pathology) the spread of pathogenic microorganisms or malignant cells to new sites in the body;

The acquiring of property by other means than by inheritance; acquisition.

The act of gaining or regaining by successful struggle; as, the conquest of liberty or peace.

The act of conquering

Success in mastering something difficult;

Typical outcomes of conquests include integration of the conquered territories into the conqueror's domain and significant cultural and administrative changes.

An invasion involves entering foreign territories on a large scale, usually aiming to take control, whereas an attack can be a more limited action with specific targets.

Many invasions violate international law, especially when conducted without the justification of self-defense or sanctioned by international bodies.

Motivations can include resource exploitation, strategic advantage, or pre-emptive military objectives to neutralize a perceived threat.

Historical contexts can shape whether invasions are seen as justified or aggressive, depending on the era's values and the outcomes of the invasion.

Legal repercussions can include international sanctions, war crime charges, and reparative demands from international courts.

Immediate effects of an invasion include disruption, potential destruction, and the beginning of resistance or conflict.

While conquest is often military, it can also occur through cultural or ideological dominance without direct conflict.

Diplomacy can be used to consolidate power, negotiate surrender, or integrate a conquered people more peacefully.

The main goal of a conquest is to subjugate and assimilate the conquered area into the conqueror’s territory, establishing long-term control.

Yes, an invasion can lead to a conquest if the invaders establish lasting control over the invaded area.

An invasion inherently involves entering a territory forcefully and is usually not peaceful, though the level of violence can vary.

Conquests have often reshaped political borders, cultures, and societies, playing a crucial role in the development of nations and empires.

Preventative measures include diplomacy, defense alliances, and maintaining a strong military deterrent to discourage aggressive actions.

Invasions often lead to civilian hardship, including displacement, loss of life, and disruption of daily life.