intrude

verb

in·​trude in-ˈtrüd 

intruded; intruding

intransitive verb

1

: to thrust oneself in without invitation, permission, or welcome

2

: to enter as a geologic intrusion

transitive verb

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

Synonyms

• break in
• chime in
• chip in [chiefly British]
• cut in
• interpose
• interrupt

Examples of intrude in a Sentence

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

That entire process egregiously intrudes on the Executive Branch's exclusive prosecutorial powers. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025

But the White House has balked at trying to broker his return, arguing the courts can’t intrude on the president’s diplomacy powers. —Ben Finley, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025

For example, saltwater intruded about one mile inland between 2009 and 2019 in parts of the Fort Lauderdale area. —John Kominoski, The Conversation, 15 Apr. 2025

That, the government argued, would intrude on the President’s sole power to conduct foreign relations. —Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin intrudere to thrust in, from in- + trudere to thrust — more at threat

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for intrude

• accrued
• allude
• collude
• conclude
• construed
• debuted
• delude
• elude
• endued
• ensued
• eschewed
• etude

Kids 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

Legal Definition

intrude

verb

in·​trude in-ˈtrüd 

intruded; intruding

intransitive verb

1

: to enter by intrusion

2

: encroach

a search that intrudes on a person's privacy

transitive verb

: to encroach on or upon without permission or right

intruder noun