intruded; intruding
1
: to thrust oneself in without invitation, permission, or welcome
2
: to enter as a geologic intrusion
1
: to thrust or force in or upon someone or something especially without permission, welcome, or fitness
intruded himself into their lives
2
: to cause to enter as if by force
intruder
noun
in·trud·er
-də(r)
plural -s
: one that intrudes
the swarming intruders upon the peace of that hill looked like sheep—
Kenneth Roberts
Kenneth Roberts
specifically
: a military aircraft assigned to penetrate alone into enemy territory usually at night
Examples of intrude in a Sentence
Verb
Excuse me, sir. I don't mean to intrude, but you have a phone call.
Would I be intruding if I came along with you?
The plane intruded into their airspace.
Reporters constantly intruded into the couple's private life.
He didn't want to intrude upon their conversation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 12 June 2026
Gollakota is partial to the scenario of someone sitting on a bench, listening to chirping birds, and being intruded upon by loud talkers.
—Sloane Crosley, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
Still, real life also has a way of intruding.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 8 June 2026
South Florida will have no way to send water to the ocean, and no way to stop salt water from intruding into its water supply.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for intrude
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Verb
However, as time passes, Lea becomes obsessed with Rocco, leading her to increasingly intrude into his life and taking the story in an unexpected and unsettling direction.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 12 June 2026
Gollakota is partial to the scenario of someone sitting on a bench, listening to chirping birds, and being intruded upon by loud talkers.
—Sloane Crosley, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
Still, real life also has a way of intruding.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 8 June 2026
South Florida will have no way to send water to the ocean, and no way to stop salt water from intruding into its water supply.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for intrude
Cite this Entry
“Intrude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intrude. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
intrude
verb
in·trude
in-ˈtrüd 
intruded; intruding
1
: to bring or force in unasked
2
: to come or go in without invitation
intruder
noun
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