obtrude

American  

[uhb-trood] / əbˈtrud /

verb (used with object)

obtruded, obtruding

1. to thrust (something) forward or upon a person, especially without warrant or invitation.

   to obtrude one's opinions upon others.

   Synonyms:

   force, impose

2. to thrust forth; push out.

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verb (used without object)

obtruded, obtruding

1. to thrust forward, especially unduly; intrude.

   Synonyms:

   push, shove

obtrude British  

/ əbˈtruːd /

verb

1. to push (oneself, one's opinions, etc) on others in an unwelcome way

2. (tr) to push out or forward

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Other Word Forms

• obtruder
  noun
• obtrusion
  noun
• preobtrude
  verb (used with object)
• unobtruded
  adjective
• unobtruding
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of obtrude

1545–55; < Latin obtrūdere to thrust against, equivalent to ob- ob- + trūdere to thrust

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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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

obtrude obtruded obtruding

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

Let her not see in you a disposition to obtrude yourself on her notice.

From The Ladies' Guide to True Politeness and Perfect Manners or, Miss Leslie's Behaviour Book by Eliza Leslie

I hate to state this of Tom, but if he will obtrude himself in this discussion, I cannot help but say a word in self-defense.

From Abraham Lincoln: Was He A Christian? by John B. Remsburg

He sometimes obtruded on what he described with a bestowing air, but that constant presence, which could feel undisciplined and unmedical, was requisite to his particular brand of intimacy.

From The Guardian ● Sep. 4, 2015

Into this grave situation another factor obtruded itself last week.

From Time Magazine Archive

Yet the barrier of language and the unfamiliarity of a charm that has fathomless depths but no tumult had obtruded themselves.

From Time Magazine Archive

Mrs. Danvers never obtruded herself, but I was aware of her continually.

From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier

I obtruded my 'lovely singleness of mind,' till, I believe, I should have become a disgusting mass of affectation, had it not been for the manly plainness of Mr Maitland.

From Discipline by Mary Brunton

That is the thesis of Author Hilton's circumstantial Ill Wind: without ever obtruding himself or appearing to state a case, he makes it brilliantly clear how far a single action can fling its consequences.

From Time Magazine Archive

She shared her son's political successes only from a distance, never obtruding herself into his spotlight.

From Time Magazine Archive

I tried not to look at it, but it kept obtruding at the corners of my vision.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

I hope you'll forgive me, Sir," said he, submissively, "for obtruding upon you at such an hour, but I have been all over Paris, and only found out where you were this minute.

From Luttrell Of Arran Complete by Charles James Lever

"Seeking for a situation, and finding none, perhaps?" continued the gentleman; "and—but I shall, perhaps, be obtruding where I have no right—perhaps, beginning to feel it difficult to subsist?"

From Wise Saws and Modern Instances, Volume II (of 2) by Thomas Cooper

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