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obtrusive

[uhb-troo-siv]
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adjective
  1. having or showing a disposition to obtrude, as by imposing oneself or one's opinions on others.
  2. (of a thing) obtruding itself: an obtrusive error.
  3. protruding; projecting.
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Origin of obtrusive

1660–70; < Latin obtrūs(us) (see obtrusion) + -ive
Related formsob·tru·sive·ly, adverbob·tru·sive·ness, nounhy·per·ob·tru·sive, adjectivehy·per·ob·tru·sive·ly, adverbhy·per·ob·tru·sive·ness, nounpre·ob·tru·sive, adjective

Synonyms for obtrusive

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1. interfering, meddlesome, officious, presumptuous. 2. blatant.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for obtrusive

noticeable, bulging, busy, forward, impertinent, importunate, intrusive, jutting, meddlesome, meddling, nosy, officious, presumptuous, projecting, prominent, prying, interfering, prognathous, protruding, protuberant

Examples from the Web for obtrusive

Historical Examples of obtrusive

  • There was control over it, but the control was not obtrusive.

    The Foolish Lovers

    St. John G. Ervine

  • There is firstly that obtrusive militarism from which we cannot for a moment escape.

    In the Heart of Vosges

    Matilda Betham-Edwards

  • "Not obvious, not obtrusive, but retired," he seemed to shun observation.

  • They were in their way quite as splendid and obtrusive as Madame Corinne was in hers.

    The Island Mystery

    George A. Birmingham

  • There was none of the obtrusive selfishness of an ordinary horse in his ways.

    A Day's Ride

    Charles James Lever

British Dictionary definitions for obtrusive

obtrusive

adjective
  1. obtruding or tending to obtrude
  2. sticking out; protruding; noticeable
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Derived Formsobtrusively, adverbobtrusiveness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for obtrusive

adj.

1660s, from Latin obtrus-, past participle stem of obtrudere (see obtrude) + -ive. Related: Obtrusively; obtrusiveness.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper