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

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 Howard Willoughby

Having shepherded him to the fold, it was evidently no part of his duty to obtrude himself till further orders.

From The Duke Decides by Headon Hill

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

It obtruded itself at unexpected moments with an insistence that was to his way of thinking indecent.

From Imprudence by F.E. Mills Young

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

He didn't attempt to argue, but looked a little ashamed of himself for obtruding for such a trivial reason.

From The City in the Clouds by C. Ranger Gull

This will be my apology for obtruding upon you, though, perhaps, the cause in which I write might serve for excuse.

From Sir Brook Fossbrooke, Volume I. by Charles James Lever

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