obtrude
Americanverb
-
to push (oneself, one's opinions, etc) on others in an unwelcome way
-
(tr) to push out or forward
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of obtrude
1545–55; < Latin obtrūdere to thrust against, equivalent to ob- ob- + trūdere to thrust
Explanation
If you want to be rude, you'll obtrude, or thrust yourself to the front of a line without waiting. Who asked you? If the answer is no one, chances are you've decided to obtrude or shove your ideas and opinions into everyone's face. Obtrude has its origins in the Latin ob meaning "toward" and trudere meaning "to thrust." An intruder climbing through your kitchen window is someone who chooses to obtrude, or forcefully enter your home.
Vocabulary lists containing obtrude
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Rebecca
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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 amount of stuff accumulating began to reach out from behind the store and obtrude into plain view; the amount of stuff disappearing from their properties was increasing.
From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026
But a producing interest can obtrude on the artistic process by imposing artificial deadlines and prioritizing the needs of the theater over the work itself.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2022
No such doubts obtrude upon the archaic fantasy world set up by the writers in the catalog to this show.
From Time Magazine Archive
This ride to Baverstock was presumably an expedition of gallantry, and yet he had felt it unwise to obtrude a jest appropriate to the occasion.
From The Passionate Elopement by MacKenzie, Compton
As you may have some time for recreation, give me leave to obtrude my poor advice.
From The Freedmen's Book by Child, Lydia Maria Francis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
