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  

/ əbˈtruːʒən, 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

Etymology

Origin of obtrude

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

Example Sentences

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

I have never been anxious under any circumstances to obtrude my opinions on the public.

From The History Of The Last Trial By Jury For Atheism In England A Fragment of Autobiography Submitted for the Perusal of Her Majesty's Attorney-General and the British Clergy by Holyoake, George Jacob

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 Leslie, Eliza