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

• descent
• foray
• inroad
• invasion
• irruption
• 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

The president has falsely proclaimed an invasion and predatory incursion to use a law written for wartime for peacetime immigration enforcement. —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025

Trump has already begun making the case that such an incursion or invasion is already underway. —Ivana Saric, Axios, 16 Mar. 2025

Ukraine launched its shock incursion into Kursk in August, swiftly capturing territory in what was the first ground invasion of Russia by a foreign power since World War II. —Christian Edwards, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025

In the past, news organizations have met governmental threats and incursions with implacable resistance. —Michael Wolff, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2025

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