obtrusive

adjective ob·tru·sive \ əb-ˈtrü-siv , -ziv , äb- \

Updated on: 2 Apr 2018

Definition of obtrusive

1 a : forward in manner or conduct

obtrusive behavior

The waiter was attentive without being obtrusive.

b : undesirably prominent

obtrusive TV commercials

2 : thrust out : protruding

a sharp obtrusive edge

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obtrusively

adverb

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obtrusiveness

noun

See obtrusive defined for English-language learners

See obtrusive defined for kids

Examples of obtrusive in a Sentence

The waiter was attentive without being obtrusive.
We used less obtrusive colors in the bedrooms.

Recent Examples of obtrusive from the Web

Many such people include those who worry that the aesthetics of the systems will be obtrusive to neighbors or detrimental to property values, Loomis said from his time on the board.

— sarah bowman, Indianapolis Star, "HOAs rain on homeowners' solar parade, residents' property rights," 18 Jan. 2018
The designers might also look for ways to make Fenner's rigging grow less rather than more obtrusive as the 90-minute show builds.

— tony adler, Chicago Reader, "Racism won’t even let the black hero of Hang Man masturbate in peace," 13 Mar. 2018
The ancient writ is obtrusive by nature to protect Americans from arbitrary searches and seizures.

— matt ford, The New Republic, "Jeff Sessions’s Wrongheaded War on California," 7 Mar. 2018
Advances in technology have resulted in dash cams that are smaller and less obtrusive in a vehicle.

— rick barrett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Dash cams capture it all, from bad driving to road trip photos," 23 Feb. 2018
The straightforward storytelling is matched by a retro '50s look, not just in Firat Yunluel’s production design but in the camerawork, staging and obtrusive use of music that seem inspired by old Hollywood films.

— deborah young, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Ayla: The Daughter of War': Film Review," 8 Jan. 2018
Advancements can include modernizing portable oxygen machines to be controlled with a smartphone or designing them to be less obtrusive.

— jason duaine hahn, PEOPLE.com, "Woman Who Watched 5 Family Members Die From Rare Lung Disease Searches for Answers: ‘It Was Torment’," 28 Sep. 2017
The process of turning Kabul into a fortress started before Mr. Trump took office, of course — security measures were tightened and an obtrusive network of blast walls was established in some places years before President Barack Obama left office.

— rod nordland, New York Times, "U.S. Expands Kabul Security Zone, Digging In for Next Decade," 16 Sep. 2017
The most vertical, and therefore the most obtrusive, component of the campus is the House, a 26-story slablike residential building by Handel Architects.

— justin davidson, Daily Intelligencer, "The Views (Real and Virtual) From Cornell Tech," 13 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'obtrusive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of obtrusive

1667

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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obtrusive Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of obtrusive

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.