intrude

American  

[in-trood] / ɪnˈtrud /

verb (used with object)

intruded, intruding

1. to thrust or bring in without invitation, permission, or welcome.

2. Geology. to thrust or force into.

3. to install (a cleric) in a church contrary to the wishes of its members.

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verb (used without object)

intruded, intruding

1. to thrust oneself without permission or welcome.

   to intrude upon their privacy.

   Synonyms:

   interlope, interfere

intrude British  

/ ɪnˈtruːd /

verb

1. to put forward or interpose (oneself, one's views, something) abruptly or without invitation

2. geology to force or thrust (rock material, esp molten magma) or (of rock material) to be thrust between solid rocks

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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”

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.

Example Sentences

We Intrude upon a Gentleman at a Coffee-house.

From Philip Winwood A Sketch of the Domestic History of an American Captain in the War of Independence; Embracing Events that Occurred between and during the Years 1763 and 1786, in New York and London: written by His Enemy in War, Herbert Russell, Lieutenant in the Loyalist Forces. by Stephens, Robert Neilson

Intrude your wilful ignorance and your wicked passions anywhere else. 

From Bunyan Characters (3rd Series) by Whyte, Alexander

Intrude, in-trōōd′, v.i. to thrust one's self in: to enter uninvited or unwelcome.—v.t. to force in.—ns.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

Related Words

• encroach
• infringe
• interfere
• invade
• meddle