Synonyms

intrude

American

[in-trood] / ɪnˈtrud /

verb (used with object)

intruded, intruding

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)

intruded, intruding

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

Related Words

See trespass.

Other Word Forms

intruder noun
intrudingly adverb
self-intruder noun
unintruded adjective
unintruding adjective
unintrudingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of intrude

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

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 intruding ravens were tentative for a while — expecting the eagles to return, according to Voisard.

From Los Angeles Times

I don’t want to intrude on what is special for him and his mom.

From Literature

Christopher felt suddenly he was intruding on something profoundly private.

From Literature

“I’m Jamie. I don’t mean to intrude. I just wanted to stop by and say hello in person.”

From Literature

This includes not putting people under undue pressure to donate and not unreasonably intruding on their privacy.

From BBC

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