to intrude on

Examples

• All

• She felt guilty for intruding on their private conversation.

• I didn't mean to intrude on your date.

  Valley of Bones (2017)

• Oh no, I don t want to intrude on family dinner...

  One Small Indiscretion (2017)

• And perhaps it may also teach you not to intrude on the king.

  Arthur & Merlin (2015)

• - Forgive me for intruding on Christmas.

  The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

• I know it's a difficult time for you, so I'll not intrude on your grief.

  The Omen (2006)

• In the meantime, political developments again intruded on the arms control process.

  Academic text (1991)

• And I'm sorry to intrude on your vacation, especially in such a beautiful place as this.

  Knock at the Cabin (2023)

• We didn't want to intrude on you.

  The Errand of Angels (2008)

• Is this really okay, because I don't want to intrude on family time.

  Failure to Launch (2006)

Synonyms

I

to interfere

vsto intrude on

487 3.5

To get involved in a situation and make things not work as they should

is focused on any uninvited entry or interference regardless of hindrance

I

to intrude

vsto intrude on

105 4.4

To go into a place or conversation where you are not welcome

means entering or interfering without permission or a welcome presence

M

to meddle

vsto intrude on

80 5.7

To get involved in other people's business and annoy them

is about entry or interference without permission rather than mere annoyance

I

to invade

vsto intrude on

77 4.1

To enter someone's space or private life without permission

focuses more generally on unwanted entry or interference without permission

B

to barge in

vsto intrude on

• Informal

59 5.5

Enter a room or conversation suddenly and rudely without being invited

includes sudden or rude interruptions but also quieter uninvited entry

B

to break in

vsto intrude on

30 3.4

To interrupt a conversation or activity without being invited

is broader, applying to any uninvited entry or interference beyond talks

E

to encroach

vsto intrude on

27 7.3

To gradually move into someone else's area, space, or rights without permission

is the general act of entering or interfering without being welcome

B

to burst in

vsto intrude on

21 3.3

To enter a room suddenly and interrupt people

covers sudden entry but also any uninvited interference in situations

B

to butt in

vsto intrude on

• Informal

21 4.4

Interrupt someone who is speaking without being invited

is the wider idea of entering or interfering without permission

C

to creep in

vsto intrude on

14 4.9

To begin to appear or affect someone slowly and quietly

is the more general idea of uninvited entry or interference

T

to trespass

vsto intrude on

11 4.9

To go onto someone else's land without permission

is broader, covering any unwelcome entry or interference not only property

H

to horn in

vsto intrude on

• Informal

5 8.2

To join a conversation or activity without being invited

focuses more broadly on any uninvited entry or interference

S

to step on someone's toes

vsto intrude on

• Informal

4 6.6

Make someone angry by doing their job or making decisions for them

is the wider notion of entering or interfering without permission or welcome

B

to burst in on

vsto intrude on

3 5.2

Go into a room or conversation suddenly and interrupt people

is the general act of entering or interfering without permission or welcome

E

to encroach upon

vsto intrude on

2 6.8

To gradually move into someone's personal space, rights or privacy

is similar but does not require a gradual or slow approach

P

to poke one's nose into

vsto intrude on

• Informal

1 7.3

To try to take part in other people's business without being asked

is similar but also covers physical or situational entry beyond affairs

S

to stick one's nose into

vsto intrude on

• UK

1 7.9

To get involved in other people's business without being asked

is the general act of entering or interfering without permission or welcome

O

to obtrude

vsto intrude on

1 9.1

Push yourself into a place or conversation when people do not want you

is the broader idea of entering or interfering without welcome

O

to obtrude upon

vsto intrude on

8.7

To force yourself into someone's space or attention without being invited

covers the same uninvited entry but in more general contexts

C

to chisel in

vsto intrude on

• Informal

7.7

Interrupt someone who is speaking by joining their conversation without waiting

is more general and covers uninvited entry in many situations

S

to stick one's oar in

vsto intrude on

• Informal

8.6

To get involved in other people's business when they do not ask for help

is broader and includes physical entry as well as interference

Antonyms

K

to keep out

31 1.0

To stay outside a place and not go in

How Intrusive

to barge in

• Informal

59 5.5

to butt in

• Informal

21 4.4

to intrude on

22 4.6

to pop in

• Informal

25 3.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology