intrusive
in-TROO-siv
/ɪnˈtruː.sɪv/
Causing disruption or annoyance by entering uninvited into personal spaces or private matters.
Focuses on the violation of boundaries, privacy, or personal comfort.
The story behind the word. Formed from Latin 'in-' (into) and 'trudere' (to push or thrust). It literally describes pushing oneself into spaces where one has not been invited.
Word relationships
- invasive: Invasive often implies physical penetration or spread, whereas intrusive emphasizes social or psychological boundary crossing.
- unobtrusive: Describing someone or something that blends into the background without disturbing others.
Commonly confused with
- obtrusive: Obtrusive means noticeably unwanted or visually distracting, while intrusive focuses on crossing private boundaries.
Word family
- intrude (verb): To enter without permission.
- intrusion (noun): An act of unwanted entry.
- intrusively (adverb): In an unwelcomed, disruptive manner.
Collocations
- intrusive questions
- intrusive behavior
- highly intrusive
Example sentences
- "The journalist was criticized for asking deeply intrusive questions about the actor's private health struggles." Interviews
Memory hook
INTRUSIVE = IN-TRUDING into someone's personal room without asking. Pushing into private space.
When not to use
Do not use for invited, welcome, or mutually agreed encounters.
Fun facts
- Geologists also use 'intrusive' to describe igneous rocks that thrust themselves into pre-existing rock layers beneath Earth's surface.
Explore more words
intrude, unobtrusive, interfere, interrupt, disruption, disrupt
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