interloper
noun
in·ter·lop·er
ˌin-tər-ˈlō-pər 
ˈin-tər-ˌlō-
: one that interlopes: such as
a
: one that intrudes in a place or sphere of activity
b
: an illegal or unlicensed trader
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The History of Interloper
The -loper part of interloper is believed to be either from an English dialectal word meaning "leap" or from a Dutch word meaning "to run." (The prefix inter- means "between" or "among.") An interloper is essentially one that jumps into the midst of things without an invitation to do so.
Examples of interloper in a Sentence
I had hoped to help my neighbors, but they regarded me as an interloper.
summer residents were regarded as interlopers who had no deep commitment to the town's welfare
Recent Examples on the Web
Amid a McLaren supremacy in 2025 that only Max Verstappen has been able to puncture by winning a race ahead of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Russell has still been a regular interloper at the front of the grid, scoring three podiums in the opening five races.
—
Luke Smith, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
In coincidental tandem, the families behind both enterprises, both of Jewish-immigrant origins and both interlopers from the provinces (the Shuberts from upstate, the Times clan from Tennessee), had been collectively responsible for colonizing Times Square since its birth.
—Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
But Sammie’s song also unwittingly beckons sinister interlopers all the way from North Carolina, bent on making that freedom short-lived.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
This will be the first opportunity for senators — Democrats and Republicans — to get answers on the record about DOGE’s activities at Social Security, as well as commitments to protect the program from partisan interlopers.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for interloper
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Luke Smith, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
In coincidental tandem, the families behind both enterprises, both of Jewish-immigrant origins and both interlopers from the provinces (the Shuberts from upstate, the Times clan from Tennessee), had been collectively responsible for colonizing Times Square since its birth.
—Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
But Sammie’s song also unwittingly beckons sinister interlopers all the way from North Carolina, bent on making that freedom short-lived.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
This will be the first opportunity for senators — Democrats and Republicans — to get answers on the record about DOGE’s activities at Social Security, as well as commitments to protect the program from partisan interlopers.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for interloper
Cite this Entry
“Interloper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interloper. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
interloper
noun
in·ter·lop·er
ˌint-ər-ˈlō-pər
ˈint-ər-ˌlō-pər
: a person who intrudes or interferes wrongly or meddlesomely
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