intrusive

American  

[in-troo-siv] / ɪnˈtru sɪv /

adjective

1. tending or apt to intrude; coming without invitation or welcome.

   intrusive memories of a lost love.

   Synonyms:

   disturbing, irritating, troublesome, worrisome, irksome, bothersome, annoying

2. characterized by or involving intrusion.

3. intruding; thrusting in.

4. Geology.

   1. (of a rock) having been forced between preexisting rocks or rock layers while in a molten or plastic condition.

   2. noting or pertaining to plutonic rocks.

5. Phonetics. excrescent.

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intrusive British  

/ ɪnˈtruːsɪv /

adjective

1. characterized by intrusion or tending to intrude

2. (of igneous rocks) formed by intrusion Compare extrusive

3. phonetics relating to or denoting a speech sound that is introduced into a word or piece of connected speech for a phonetic rather than a historical or grammatical reason, such as the (r) often pronounced between idea and of in the idea of it

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Other Word Forms

• intrusively
  adverb
• intrusiveness
  noun
• nonintrusive
  adjective
• nonintrusively
  adverb
• unintrusive
  adjective
• unintrusively
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of intrusive

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at intrusion, -ive

Explanation

Something intrusive is getting in your face or invading your space. Nosey questions, a poke in the ribs, and a hovering mother are all intrusive. Things that are intrusive are a real pain in the neck: they intrude on you. If someone asks you a million questions, especially personal questions, that's intrusive behavior. When photographers hound celebrities, they're being intrusive. If a rock is sticking out and getting in people's way, then it's intrusive. All meanings of intrusive involve something being where it doesn't belong.

Example Sentences

Some local residents have long pressed leaders to act, saying that intrusive noise could worsen post-traumatic stress disorder and other ailments.

From Salon • Apr. 27, 2026

Allies of Sir Olly have argued he had a duty not to disclose details of the vetting, which are highly intrusive and personal, as this would undermine the process.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

It would be much less intrusive than taxing income, much less complicated, and it would be fairer.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026

Even imposing nonexclusionary tariffs on goods of no real strategic interest can be a source of revenue, and they can protect us against intrusive taxes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

“Has there been an uptick in your rumination or intrusive thoughts?”

From "Turtles All the Way Down" by John Green

Related Words

• invasive
• nosy