incursion

noun

in·​cur·​sion in-ˈkər-zhən 

1

: a hostile entrance into a territory : raid

2

: an entering in or into (something, such as an activity or undertaking)

his only incursion into the arts

Synonyms of incursion

• invasion
• raid

Examples of incursion in a Sentence

an incursion into enemy airspace

there were incursions from the border every summer

Recent Examples on the Web

This has occurred while the ground operation of incursions, checkpoints, village raids, and civilian abductions has continued at the same pace, the research said. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026

Iranian forces have built up their presence to prevent incursions by Iranian Kurdish militant groups. —ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026

Mamdani didn't take kindly to the Nassau County executive's incursion into his domain, CBS News New York's Marcia Kramer reported. —Marcia Kramer, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026

Mounting destruction, death toll Satellite imagery reviewed by NBC News appeared to show the reinforcement in the lead-up to or during the current war of five Israeli military bases that were set up during previous incursions into southern Lebanon. —Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin incursion-, incursio, from incurrere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for incursion

• aspersion
• aversion
• conversion
• dispersion
• diversion
• eversion
• excursion
• immersion
• inversion
• perversion
• recursion
• reversion

Kids Definition

incursion

noun

in·​cur·​sion in-ˈkər-zhən 

: a sudden usually temporary invasion : raid