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

Many attendees shared his focus, and the President’s name floated over the gathering like an intrusive thought. — Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 22 June 2026

Where does personalisation become intrusive? — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

Critics said at the time the inspections were not intrusive enough, and that the agreement was time-limited, rather than a permanent solution. — Justin Fishel, ABC News, 18 June 2026

The challenge has been finding a monitoring method that can reliably reveal what is happening inside a reactor without becoming intrusive or technically impractical. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 14 June 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