intrusive

adjective

in·​tru·​sive in-ˈtrü-siv 

-ziv

1

a

: characterized by intrusion

b

: intruding where one is not welcome or invited

2

a

: projecting inward

an intrusive arm of the sea

b(1)

of a rock : having been forced while in a plastic state into cavities or between layers

(2)

: plutonic

3

: having nothing that corresponds to a sound or letter in orthography or etymon

intrusive \t\ in \ˈmints\ for mince

intrusive noun

intrusively adverb

intrusiveness noun

Synonyms

• busy
• interfering
• intruding
• meddlesome
• meddling
• nosy
• nosey
• obtrusive
• officious
• presuming
• presumptuous
• protrusive
• prying
• pushing
• pushy
• snoopy

Choose the Right Synonym for intrusive

impertinent, officious, meddlesome, intrusive, obtrusive mean given to thrusting oneself into the affairs of others.

impertinent implies exceeding the bounds of propriety in showing interest or curiosity or in offering advice.

resented their impertinent interference

officious implies the offering of services or attentions that are unwelcome or annoying.

officious friends made the job harder

meddlesome stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs.

a meddlesome landlord

intrusive implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs.

tried to be helpful without being intrusive

obtrusive stresses improper or offensive conspicuousness of interfering actions.

expressed an obtrusive concern for his safety

Examples of intrusive in a Sentence

a loud and intrusive person

She tried to be helpful without being intrusive.

Intrusive reporters disturbed their privacy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Bias in the way data is collected or analyzed can lead to unfair outcomes and overly intrusive data gathering or AI initiatives can create unhappy employees. —Bernard Marr, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

As her characters move through their routines, Waldman maintains a kind of steady presence, attentive but not intrusive. —Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2024

Karp has long dismissed widespread criticism that Palantir’s tools enable intrusive government surveillance. —TIME, 8 Feb. 2024

The narrative storytelling show about individual’s intrusive thoughts about their size won Best Indie Podcast, Best Indie Podcast Host/Hosts, and Best Society and Culture Podcast. —Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Mar. 2024

Now, three months after winning a court victory against another media company for phone hacking and other intrusive behavior, Harry has turned his sights back to the 93-year-old executive and his media empire. —Ellen Francis, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024

Manny Padilla, a teen-age musician living with obsessive-compulsive disorder, faces intense fears and intrusive thoughts. —The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2024

Her intrusive thoughts are organic to how most of us feel when starting something new. —Celeste Polanco, Essence, 13 Mar. 2024

The deal restricted certain Iranian nuclear activities for periods between 10 to 25 years, and allowed for more intrusive, permanent monitoring. —Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

intrusive

adjective

in·​tru·​sive in-ˈtrü-siv 

-ziv

1

a

: characterized by intrusion

intrusive memories

b

: intruding where one is not welcome or invited

intrusive neighbors

2

: having been forced while in a melted state into cavities or between layers

intrusive rocks

intrusive noun

intrusively adverb

intrusiveness noun

Legal Definition

intrusive

adjective

in·​tru·​sive in-ˈtrü-siv 

: characterized by intrusion

intrusively adverb

intrusiveness noun