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 of intrude

• 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

Supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research’s long-standing Research for Civil Security program, the system uses an extendable net to safely capture intruding drones without causing debris or collateral damage. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Nov. 2025

After conducting follow-up interviews on the incident that took place this week, police believe there was no wrongdoing and the man initially suspected to have intruded into the house had actually been invited inside. —Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 22 Nov. 2025

But as cars began to intrude in American cities, pedestrians began to die in stunning numbers. —Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 13 Nov. 2025

Romania is yet to down any intruding Russian munitions. —David Brennan, ABC News, 11 Nov. 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