intrude

verb

Save Word

in·trude | \ in-ˈtrüd

intruded; intruding

Definition of intrude

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

Other Words from intrude Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About intrude

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 Newhouse didn't want to intrude on Dan grief, but was grateful for the chance to unpack his own when Dan invited him to take part. — Jeff Truesdell, PEOPLE.com, 29 July 2022 As climate change intensifies, studies show that salt water will intrude farther up the Sacramento-San Joaquin estuary, further threatening the purity of water taken by public utilities in Contra Costa County and Southern California. — Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2022 The bill would also likely increase the state’s already-high infant and woman morbidity and mortality rates, intrude on the patient-physician relationship and possibly result in physicians fleeing the state, obstetricians and gynecologists said. — cleveland, 26 May 2022 Memories change depending on who’s telling the story, or blur with the details of other stories, or intrude on the present in particularly intense moments. — Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2022 His reporting has transported readers around the world into the secluded homes of people who are fighting to remain removed from the civilization and industry that threatens to intrude upon their lives. — Ruby Mellen, Washington Post, 15 June 2022 Harris claims that turning over these records to the House Select Committee would not only intrude on her privacy but also forces her to reveal confidential sources. — Amy Nakamura, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2021 Painful memories intrude in flashes, until so many of them pile up at once that the present becomes difficult to see. — Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 June 2022 By operating outside your control, hackers can intrude and compromise these targets—which will often go undetected for a long time—all the while reaping the rewards for their hacking efforts. — Ran Nahmias, Forbes, 13 June 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intrude.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.