intrude
verb
in·trude in-ˈtrüd 
intruded; intruding
intransitive verb
1
: to thrust oneself in without invitation, permission, or welcome
2
: to enter as a geologic intrusion
transitive verb
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
Synonyms
- break in
- chime in
- chip in [chiefly British]
- cut in
- interpose
- interrupt
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Politicians, judges, and others may seek to intrude on that privacy, but ethics consultants and committees should refuse to go along. 
Holly Fernandez Lynch, STAT, 17 Aug. 2022 Does anyone believe this won’t produce continuous anonymous leaks that will intrude into and distort the November elections and beyond? Daniel Henninger, WSJ, 17 Aug. 2022 When George Floyd was murdered, my reaction was one of shock and disbelief — disbelief that law enforcement had allowed such brutal tactics to intrude into the everyday practices of their officers. Jared Council, Forbes, 23 May 2022 But regardless of the change of scenery, nature found a way to intrude. Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, 12 July 2022 This year’s event is a single day, however reality is still finding a way to intrude on the celebrations. Brad Moon, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2022 My thought was to ignore the sneeze so as not to intrude on their privacy. Abigail Van Buren, oregonlive, 5 Aug. 2022 Newhouse didn't want to intrude on Dan grief, but was grateful for the chance to unpack his own when Dan invited him to take part. Jeff Truesdell, PEOPLE.com, 29 July 2022 As climate change intensifies, studies show that salt water will intrude farther up the Sacramento-San Joaquin estuary, further threatening the purity of water taken by public utilities in Contra Costa County and Southern California. Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2022 See More
Holly Fernandez Lynch, STAT, 17 Aug. 2022 Does anyone believe this won’t produce continuous anonymous leaks that will intrude into and distort the November elections and beyond? Daniel Henninger, WSJ, 17 Aug. 2022 When George Floyd was murdered, my reaction was one of shock and disbelief — disbelief that law enforcement had allowed such brutal tactics to intrude into the everyday practices of their officers. Jared Council, Forbes, 23 May 2022 But regardless of the change of scenery, nature found a way to intrude. Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, 12 July 2022 This year’s event is a single day, however reality is still finding a way to intrude on the celebrations. Brad Moon, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2022 My thought was to ignore the sneeze so as not to intrude on their privacy. Abigail Van Buren, oregonlive, 5 Aug. 2022 Newhouse didn't want to intrude on Dan grief, but was grateful for the chance to unpack his own when Dan invited him to take part. Jeff Truesdell, PEOPLE.com, 29 July 2022 As climate change intensifies, studies show that salt water will intrude farther up the Sacramento-San Joaquin estuary, further threatening the purity of water taken by public utilities in Contra Costa County and Southern California. Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin intrudere to thrust in, from in- + trudere to thrust — more at threat
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Kids Definition
intrude
verb
in·trude in-ˈtrüd
intruded; intruding
1
: to force in, into, or on especially where not right or proper
She intruded into our conversation.
2
: to come or go in without an invitation or right
Legal Definition
intrude
verb
in·trude in-ˈtrüd
intruded; intruding
intransitive verb
1
: to enter by intrusion
2
: encroach
a search that intrudes on a person's privacy
transitive verb
: to encroach on or upon without permission or right
intruding 1 of 2
adjective
as in busy
thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited a relentlessly intruding child who likes to interrupt adult conversations simply to get attention Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- busy
- interfering
- intrusive
- meddling
- prying
- obtrusive
- officious
- invading
- trespassing
- annoying
- meddlesome
- pushing
- nosy
- pushy
- presuming
- rude
- snoopy
- presumptuous
- nosey
- protrusive
- impudent
- harassing
- insolent
- bumptious
- brazen
- curious
- impertinent
- inquisitive
- overbearing
- pestiferous
- bold
- superserviceable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unobtrusive
- uninvolved
- withdrawn
- silent
- restrained
- inhibited
- quiet
- reclusive
- reticent
- retiring
- subdued
- reserved
- taciturn
- hands-off
intruding
2 of 2verb
1
as in interrupting
to cause a disruption in a conversation or discussion forgive me for intruding, but I think I know where that restaurant is Synonyms & Similar Words
- interrupting
- bothering
- cutting in
- interposing
- breaking in
- adding
- chiming in
- chipping in
- contributing
- putting in
- horning in
- barging (in)
2
as in interfering
to interest oneself in what is not one's concern the story of a would-be matchmaker who intrudes into the lives of her friends Synonyms & Similar Words
- interfering
- messing
- snooping
- poking
- obtruding
- meddling
- interloping
- prying
- intermeddling
- intervening
- invading
- butting in
- nosing
- encroaching
- trespassing
- interceding
- mucking (about or around)
- interposing
- infringing
- fooling
- tampering
- playing
- monkeying
- fiddling
- chiselling (in)
- chiseling (in)
- barging (in)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- avoiding
- ignoring
- neglecting
- disregarding
- shunning
- overlooking
- eschewing