obtrude
Americanverb
-
to push (oneself, one's opinions, etc) on others in an unwelcome way
-
(tr) to push out or forward
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of obtrude
1545–55; < Latin obtrūdere to thrust against, equivalent to ob- ob- + trūdere to thrust
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.
Vocabulary lists containing obtrude
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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.
See Examples For:
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
The place has obviously degenerated since his time; an air of shabbiness and thriftlessness prevails, and ancient smells by no means suggestive of "the odors of Araby the blest" obtrude upon the pilgrim.
From A Literary Pilgrimage Among the Haunts of Famous British Authors by Wolfe, Theodore F. (Theodore Frelinghuysen)
The difference between this and Sandhurst is that at the latter the mines obtrude themselves everywhere.
From Australian Pictures Drawn with Pen and Pencil by Willoughby, Howard
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
His learning, though vast and genuine, was never obtruded.
From Letters of Lord Acton To Mary, Daughter of the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone by Acton, John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, Baron
She shared her son's political successes only from a distance, never obtruding herself into his spotlight.
From Time Magazine Archive
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
I tried not to look at it, but it kept obtruding at the corners of my vision.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
His head was of huge proportions, and deformed, being perfectly flat on the top, and obtruding in front into a round forehead like an infant's newly born.
From Captain Kyd, Vol. II or, The Wizard of the Sea by Ingraham, Jonathon Holt
He cannot bear to see it obtruding itself upon the public.
From The Gentle Reader by Crothers, Samuel McChord
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
