interloper

noun

in·​ter·​lop·​er ˌin-tər-ˈlō-pər How to pronounce interloper (audio)
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
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.
Declan refuses to share a bedroom and a birthday with Brendan and regards him not as a brother but an interloper. Malcolm Forbes, Boston Herald, 15 May 2025 Bailey stares at the man in the video for several uncomfortable seconds, before raising his paw to touch the interloper and further emphasize his point. Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025 For Trump and his basic understanding of history, Columbus is as core to the United States’ DNA as apple pie and Betsy Ross, and the interloper Indigenous Peoples Day is a pernicious effort to hijack it like a cancer. Philip Elliott, Time, 28 Apr. 2025 Even Larry Ellison and his son David are having trouble closing their Paramount deal as new interlopers and random Trump bureaucrats intrude. Peter Bart, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for interloper

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1590, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of interloper was circa 1590

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Cite this Entry

“Interloper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interloper. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

interloper

noun
in·​ter·​lop·​er ˌint-ər-ˈlō-pər How to pronounce interloper (audio)
ˈint-ər-ˌlō-pər
: a person who intrudes or interferes wrongly or meddlesomely

More from Merriam-Webster on interloper

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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