intrusive

adjective

in·​tru·​sive in-ˈtrü-siv 

-ziv

1

a

: characterized by intrusion

b

: intruding where one is not welcome or invited

2

a

: projecting inward

an intrusive arm of the sea

b(1)

of a rock : having been forced while in a plastic state into cavities or between layers

(2)

: plutonic

3

: having nothing that corresponds to a sound or letter in orthography or etymon

intrusive \t\ in \ˈmints\ for mince

intrusive noun

intrusively adverb

intrusiveness noun

Synonyms of intrusive

• busy
• intruding
• obtrusive
• officious
• annoying
• meddlesome

Choose the Right Synonym for intrusive

impertinent, officious, meddlesome, intrusive, obtrusive mean given to thrusting oneself into the affairs of others.

impertinent implies exceeding the bounds of propriety in showing interest or curiosity or in offering advice.

resented their impertinent interference

officious implies the offering of services or attentions that are unwelcome or annoying.

officious friends made the job harder

meddlesome stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs.

a meddlesome landlord

intrusive implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs.

tried to be helpful without being intrusive

obtrusive stresses improper or offensive conspicuousness of interfering actions.

expressed an obtrusive concern for his safety

Examples of intrusive in a Sentence

a loud and intrusive person

She tried to be helpful without being intrusive.

Intrusive reporters disturbed their privacy.

Recent Examples on the Web

France has banned unsolicited telemarketing calls under a new law aimed at protecting consumers from intrusive sales pitches and shielding vulnerable people from fraudulent commercial practices. — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026

The palace cannot police every teenager with an iPhone, but the press can make a conscious decision not to create a market for those intrusive photographs. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026

On December 15, Clancy reported persistent intrusive thoughts of suicide and went to the emergency room at Massachusetts General Hospital, Jollotta testified. — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

Simultaneously, non-invasive and less intrusive methods are developing. — Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for intrusive

• abusive
• allusive
• collusive
• conclusive
• conducive
• delusive
• diffusive
• elusive
• exclusive
• extrusive
• illusive
• inclusive

Kids Definition

intrusive

adjective

in·​tru·​sive in-ˈtrü-siv 

-ziv

1

a

: characterized by intrusion

intrusive memories

b

: intruding where one is not welcome or invited

intrusive neighbors

2

: having been forced while in a melted state into cavities or between layers

intrusive rocks

intrusive noun

intrusively adverb

intrusiveness noun

Legal Definition

intrusive

adjective

in·​tru·​sive in-ˈtrü-siv 

: characterized by intrusion

intrusively adverb

intrusiveness noun