intrude

1 of 2

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

intruder

2 of 2

noun

in·​trud·​er

-də(r)

plural -s

: one that intrudes

the swarming intruders upon the peace of that hill looked like sheep

—Kenneth Roberts

specifically : a military aircraft assigned to penetrate alone into enemy territory usually at night

Synonyms of intrude

Verb

• interrupt

Examples of intrude in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

If the bill becomes law and the county challenges it, Pio Roda said county attorneys could argue that the state had improperly intruded into a local matter. — Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 13 July 2026

But in people with narcolepsy, such boundaries become blurred, allowing elements of sleep to intrude into wakefulness in varying ways. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 July 2026

In that sense, the ultraviolence is reframed not as spectacle but as a kind of ancient supernatural force compelled to intrude upon ordinary human grief. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 July 2026

So the familiarity of my story with John sometimes intruded into what was supposed to be this fairy tale. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 28 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

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