Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective intrusive contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of intrusive are impertinent, meddlesome, obtrusive, and officious. While all these words mean "given to thrusting oneself into the affairs of others," intrusive implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs.

tried to be helpful without being intrusive

When could impertinent be used to replace intrusive?

While the synonyms impertinent and intrusive are close in meaning, impertinent implies exceeding the bounds of propriety in showing interest or curiosity or in offering advice.

resented their impertinent interference

When is it sensible to use meddlesome instead of intrusive?

The synonyms meddlesome and intrusive are sometimes interchangeable, but meddlesome stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs.

a meddlesome landlord

When is obtrusive a more appropriate choice than intrusive?

Although the words obtrusive and intrusive have much in common, obtrusive stresses improper or offensive conspicuousness of interfering actions.

expressed an obtrusive concern for his safety

When might officious be a better fit than intrusive?

The meanings of officious and intrusive largely overlap; however, officious implies the offering of services or attentions that are unwelcome or annoying.

officious friends made the job harder

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of intrusive Agencies that understand the boundaries (privacy, transparency, emotional nuance) can build with AI in ways that feel intuitive, not intrusive. Cade Collister, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025 For America to retain our status as the hub of the financial world, global investors need to know that dollars invested in U.S. financial institutions will not be subject to intrusive government regulation and taxation, and that their financial privacy will be protected. Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 19 June 2025 This precision timing enhances conversion rates and improves the customer experience, making interactions feel serendipitous rather than intrusive. Maria Youth, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 But the new White House efforts go far beyond anything ever attempted in the United States, allowing the government to conduct intrusive surveillance against almost anyone by combining government and commercial databases. Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for intrusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intrusive
Adjective
  • Called Artificial Intelligence for Managing Integrated Environmental Elements, or Aimee, the tech is meant to assist air traffic controllers at busy international hubs.
    Adrienne Bernhard, Scientific American, 10 July 2025
  • The schedule partly overlaps with the reserve’s busiest season and a time when the Coastal Commission tends to prohibit development to maximize parking and open space for public use.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • In February, commissioners tabled a vote on the rezoning to give the builder time to revamp its plans after neighbors complained the development would be too obtrusive.
    Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 20 May 2025
  • Standing along the back wall in the Philadelphia Flyers dressing room after the game, surrounded by reporters with their obtrusive cellphone recorders just inches from his face and television cameras with their lights turned up brighter than necessary, Brink subtly, but noticeably, trembles.
    Kevin Kurz, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s something officious about Alden Ehrenreich.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Jan. 2023
  • Her charming luxury treasure trove has none of that officious chilliness that defines the typical store of its ilk but instead feels like a brocanterie crammed with interesting, unexpected luxury goods from across the world.
    Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2023
Adjective
  • Figuring out how to reply to an annoying co-worker on Slack?
    Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • In other words, these annoying tasks will actually start to feel good.
    Meg Walters, Glamour, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • But instead of meddlesome mamas making matches, the dating game now more closely resembles the stock market, with daters’ valuations charting up and down.
    Angelique Jackson, Variety, 15 June 2025
  • The special ops unit chases every lead possible, from bribes to Mexican drug cartels, a meddlesome L.A. District Attorney (Merrick McCartha) and corruption in the government of Belarus.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 25 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Intrusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intrusive. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on intrusive

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