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

Ordinary concerns like money do intrude on occasion, pitting working-class locals against wealthy tourists, but not to the point that the gang is beholden to anything so mundane as a set work schedule. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 2026

Over the Southeast, more tropical moisture is expected to intrude over the week, with a wet pattern that could linger into the second week of August, according to the weather prediction center's forecast discussion. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026

Critics argue that the readers create a mass surveillance network and intrude on civil rights. — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 July 2026

The direct address to the press comes after his predecessor Julian Nagelsmann faced intense scrutiny and criticism from media and former members of the national team, intruding into his private life while in the role. — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 24 July 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