intrusive

1 of 2

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

intrusiveness

2 of 2

noun

in·​tru·​sive·​ness

|ivnə̇s, 

|ēv- also |əv-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being intrusive

have lost much of my taste for the special intrusiveness of modern journalism, and it is no longer my opinion that it is necessary for the public to know the whole truth about anybody who has had the misfortune to acquire a little celebrity

—Wolcott Gibbs

Synonyms of intrusive

Adjective

• 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

Adjective

a loud and intrusive person

She tried to be helpful without being intrusive.

Intrusive reporters disturbed their privacy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Medvedev, 30, is having the kind of season that might drive a player toward intrusive, existential thoughts — even before considering the fact that he is predisposed to them like few sports stars are. — James Hansen, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

What this has led to is mandating employees to start conversations — the current cliche is asking what the client is doing for the rest of the day — that are both intrusive and time-consuming. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026

The Ojai center was bombarded with intrusive calls, and conspiracy theorists accused the staff of manipulating information to secure donations. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026

That boundary is important because the operations being authorized can be highly intrusive. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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