Incursion vs. Invasion — What's the Difference?

A raid or attack on another's territory.

A military action of entering foreign territory to conquer or occupy it.

An unauthorized or intrusive venture into a domain or field.

A widespread influx or spread.

A momentary deviation or breach.

A breach of boundaries or limits.

A sudden and brief entry into foreign territory.

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.

An abrupt or sudden advance.

An act of entering a place in large numbers, especially forcefully.

Incursion is a science fiction roleplaying game created by Richard Tucholka and published by Tri Tac Games in 1992.

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

An invasion or attack, especially a sudden or brief one

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

An aggressive entrance into foreign territory; a raid or invasion.

An intrusion or encroachment

The act of entering another's territory or domain.

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.

The act of entering or running into

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

An aggressive movement into somewhere; an invasion.

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

A running into; hence, an entering into a territory with hostile intention; a temporary invasion; a predatory or harassing inroad; a raid.

(surgery) The breaching of the skin barrier.

Attack; occurrence.

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

The act of entering some territory or domain (often in large numbers);

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

An attack that penetrates into enemy territory

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

The mistake of incurring liability or blame

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

Any entry into an area not previously occupied;

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

A harmful intrusion or spread into an area or domain.

Yes, an incursion can be committed by a single individual, such as a trespasser, while an invasion typically involves larger groups.

An incursion might be addressed through diplomacy or limited retaliation, while an invasion typically leads to wider conflict.

No, while many invasions aim for occupation, some might have other objectives, unlike incursions that are usually brief.

Typically, incursions are seen as lesser violations than invasions, though their interpretation varies based on context.

No, while invasions often involve military objectives, they can also refer to widespread influxes or breaches, unlike the more specific incursion.

Yes, an incursion, like a border crossing by mistake, can be unintentional, while an invasion is typically deliberate.

Yes, an incursion can escalate and evolve into a full-blown invasion if unchecked.

Yes, an invasion can refer to any significant influx or intrusion, distinct from the more military-associated incursion.

An invasion can last from days to years, depending on its objectives, in contrast to the typically brief incursion.

No, incursions can be planned, but they're often sudden and might not be officially sanctioned, unlike the organized invasion.

Not necessarily. An incursion might be a minor breach, while an invasion is more likely to be seen as an act of war.

It depends on the context. Some invasions can be justified, e.g., self-defense, while incursions might be harder to justify.

Often, but not always. An incursion might be authorized by some but seen as a breach by others, differing from the more definitive invasion.

The term invasion often carries aggressive connotations, but it can be used metaphorically, e.g., an invasion of tourists, unlike the hostile undertone of incursion.

Generally, an invasion has a broader impact on the invaded territory, altering its fabric, while incursions have a more localized effect.