Synonyms

intrude

American

[in-trood] / ɪnˈtrud /

verb (used with object)

to thrust or bring in without invitation, permission, or welcome.
Geology. to thrust or force into.
to install (a cleric) in a church contrary to the wishes of its members.

verb (used without object)

to thrust oneself without permission or welcome.

to intrude upon their privacy.

Synonyms:

interlope, interfere

intrude British

/ ɪnˈtruːd /

verb

to put forward or interpose (oneself, one's views, something) abruptly or without invitation
geology to force or thrust (rock material, esp molten magma) or (of rock material) to be thrust between solid rocks

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Synonym Usage

See trespass.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of intrude

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin intrūdere “to push in,” equivalent to in- in- ² + trūdere “to push”

Explanation

When someone says, “I hate to intrude, but…” you can bet she is in fact going to interrupt your conversation or insert her opinion, even though it isn’t wanted. House burglars also intrude, but they don’t usually announce it first. People can intrude in different ways, but it is usually uninvited and also unwelcome. This verb is derived from the Latin, intrudere, in which the in- means “into” and -trudere means, “to thrust.” So people can in intrude by thrusting or forcing themselves into your private life, your personal body space, or your home. Loud music could intrude into your studying. A memory could intrude while you are trying to focus on texting a message.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"The court does not intrude on parliament by ensuring parliament can sit," the judgement said.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

In the past, the court has said the 4th Amendment protects against government searches that intrude upon a “reasonable expectation of privacy.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026

The Code of Fundraising Practice stipulates that charities should not unreasonably intrude on a person's privacy, put undue pressure on a person to donate, or use unreasonably persistent approaches.

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2026

Woodward decision established clear limits on state power to intrude on private corporations, strengthening corporate rights and autonomy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 27, 2025

The best way to do this will most likely be to go to the edge of your territory and noisily intrude into the neutral zone.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023