intruded; intruding
1
: to thrust oneself in without invitation, permission, or welcome
2
: to enter as a geologic intrusion
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
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
This is hardly the first time outside events have intruded on the industry’s biggest night.
—
Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
Currently, a team of local researchers in North Carolina is collaborating to better understand how dredging may lead to the formation of more ghost forests and salinity, in an effort to gauge just how salt water intrudes the river system and how much salt water is needed to impact local ecosystems.
—Patrick Sisson, Scientific American, 9 Mar. 2026
The idea intruded forcefully into my thoughts.
—Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
Beginning in December, the Los Angeles Times has published revelations about how politics has intruded on a supposedly dispassionate report on the fire department’s wildfire responses.
—Dan Walters, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for intrude
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Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
Currently, a team of local researchers in North Carolina is collaborating to better understand how dredging may lead to the formation of more ghost forests and salinity, in an effort to gauge just how salt water intrudes the river system and how much salt water is needed to impact local ecosystems.
—Patrick Sisson, Scientific American, 9 Mar. 2026
The idea intruded forcefully into my thoughts.
—Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
Beginning in December, the Los Angeles Times has published revelations about how politics has intruded on a supposedly dispassionate report on the fire department’s wildfire responses.
—Dan Walters, Oc Register, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for intrude
Cite this Entry
“Intrude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intrude. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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