Definition

1. Noun:
   • An invasion or attack, especially a sudden or brief one: An incursion is an aggressive entrance into a territory or area, often by a military force, that is typically temporary or limited in scope.
   • The act of entering somewhere, often in large numbers or in an unwelcome way: It can describe any entry into a place, sphere, or domain, especially when it is intrusive or occurs in significant numbers.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The border village repelled the enemy incursion. (The border village fought off the enemy's sudden attack.)
  • The company made a successful incursion into the Asian market. (The company successfully entered the Asian market.)
  • We are concerned about the incursion of commercial development into the forest. (We are worried about commercial development entering the forest area.)

Advanced Usage

• "to make an incursion into": to enter or attack a place, especially suddenly or briefly.
  • The rebels made a daring incursion into the capital. (The rebels carried out a bold, sudden attack on the capital.)
• Used figuratively to describe the unwelcome spread or influence of something into a new area.
  • The incursion of loud advertising into public spaces is a nuisance. (The intrusive spread of loud advertising into public areas is annoying.)

Variants and Related Words

• Incursive (adj): Having the characteristics of an incursion; invasive.
  • The army took measures against incursive raids. (The army took measures against invasive raids.)
• Incur (v): To become subject to (something unwelcome, like blame or cost) as a result of one's own actions. (Note: This is a related verb but has a different primary meaning focused on consequence, not entry/attack).

Synonyms

• Raid: A sudden attack on an enemy or a place.
• Foray: A sudden or irregular invasion or attack for war or spoils; a venture or initial attempt into a new field.
• Invasion: An instance of invading a country or region with an armed force. (This often implies a larger, more sustained action than an incursion).
• Intrusion: The act of entering a place or situation without invitation or welcome.

Related Phrases

• Military incursion: Specifies an attack by armed forces.
  • The government condemned the military incursion across the ceasefire line. (The government denounced the armed attack across the ceasefire line.)
• Market incursion: Used in business to describe entering a new market.
  • Their market incursion was met with fierce competition. (Their entry into the market faced strong competition.)

Notes on Meaning

• Primary Meaning: The most common use of "incursion" refers to a hostile or sudden entry, especially a military attack.
• Secondary Meaning: It is also used more broadly for any entry, particularly of many things/people or of something into a new domain, often with a slightly negative connotation of intrusion.
• Key Difference from "Invasion": An incursion is generally shorter, smaller in scale, and less permanent than a full-scale invasion.

Noun

1. the mistake of incurring liability or blame
2. an attack that penetrates into enemy territory
3. the act of entering some territory or domain (often in large numbers)
   • the incursion of television into the American living room