obtrusive

adjective

ob·​tru·​sive əb-ˈtrü-siv How to pronounce obtrusive (audio)
-ziv,
äb-
1
a
: forward in manner or conduct
obtrusive behavior
The waiter was attentive without being obtrusive.
b
: undesirably prominent
obtrusive TV commercials
2
: thrust out : protruding
a sharp obtrusive edge
obtrusively adverb
obtrusiveness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for obtrusive

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 obtrusive in a Sentence

The waiter was attentive without being obtrusive. We used less obtrusive colors in the bedrooms.
Recent Examples on the Web Any one of these characters, all gay men save for one obtrusive straight, could be committed on the basis of their existence. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 8 Aug. 2023 Its screen size ensures easy visibility without being obtrusive. Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 7 Feb. 2024 For the next couple of years at least, most of these devices will look somewhat like todays’ VR headsets — bulky, a bit heavy and obtrusive. Larry Magid, The Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2024 They’re also pitched as being less obtrusive than your phone for snapping photos, texting your new crush and asking a chatbot for shopping advice. Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2024 The new tags are solar-powered, are less obtrusive and, with luck, should last a year or more. Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Jan. 2024 Does the arch of the shoe feel supportive or obtrusive? Hannah Dylan Pasternak, SELF, 15 Aug. 2023 Those with a preference for something more contemplatively formless will find the available structuring to be obtrusive, with the moments of over-explaining and narrativizing rendering the snapshots almost confusing. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 July 2023 Perhaps your school would have done better by being less obtrusive. Miss Manners | Judith Martin, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'obtrusive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of obtrusive was in 1667

Dictionary Entries Near obtrusive

Cite this Entry

“Obtrusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obtrusive. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

obtrusive

adjective
ob·​tru·​sive əb-ˈtrü-siv How to pronounce obtrusive (audio)
äb-,
-ziv
: likely to obtrude
obtrusively adverb
obtrusiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on obtrusive

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