intrude
gb/ɪntɹˈud/ us/ɪntɹˈud/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
enter without permission
to enter a place when you should not
Usage pattern:
intrude (into/on) [place/property]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse intrude with introduce; intrude means enter or interfere without permission.
Synonyms
trespass (More legal and specifically about entering land or property.)
|
barge in (More informal and often suggests sudden, rude entry.)
Antonyms
stay out (Emphasizes not entering a place.)
|
keep off (Common on signs; focuses on avoiding restricted areas.)
Collocations
intrude into a room
|intrude on private property
|intrude on someone’s land
|intrude into someone’s home
|intrude through an open door
|intrude without permission
|intrude uninvited
|intrude at night
|intrude on a restricted area
|intrude where you’re not welcome
Themes
law
|daily_life
|crime
|social_relations
Examples
- A reporter tried to intrude into the family’s home.
- Security stopped people who attempted to intrude on the site.
- Don’t intrude into areas marked ‘staff only.’
Learner examples
- He intruded into the house.
- Please don’t intrude on private property.
Verb
B2
action
2
interfere or join uninvited
to interrupt or get involved when you are not invited
Usage pattern:
intrude (on) [someone]/[conversation]/[activity]
Common mistake:
Intrude is stronger than interrupt: it suggests you are not welcome, not just that you spoke at the wrong time.
Synonyms
butt in (Informal; emphasizes rudeness in joining a conversation.)
|
interfere (Focuses on getting involved and possibly causing problems.)
Antonyms
refrain (Means choosing not to act or speak.)
|
keep out of it (Common phrase meaning not to get involved.)
Collocations
intrude on a conversation
|intrude on a meeting
|intrude on their discussion
|intrude on someone’s grief
|intrude on a private moment
|intrude with questions
|intrude in someone else’s affairs
|intrude where you don’t belong
|intrude inappropriately
|intrude without meaning to
Themes
social_relations
|communication
|emotions
|work
Examples
- I didn’t mean to intrude, but I heard my name.
- He intruded on their conversation and changed the subject.
- Please don’t intrude in matters that don’t concern you.
Learner examples
- Sorry to intrude.
- She intruded on our talk.
Verb
C1
event
3
come into the mind unwanted
(of a thought) to come into your mind when you don’t want it
Usage pattern:
[thought/memory] intrudes (on) [someone]
Common mistake:
Often used with thoughts or memories; it does not mean ‘introduce an idea’ in a neutral way.
Synonyms
pop into your head (More informal and less negative.)
|
haunt (Stronger; suggests repeated, disturbing return.)
Antonyms
fade (Describes a thought becoming weaker or disappearing.)
|
leave (someone’s mind) (Means it stops being thought about.)
Collocations
a thought intrudes
|memories intrude
|worries intrude
|intrude on my thoughts
|intrude into my mind
|intrude at night
|intrude during work
|intrude again and again
|intrude unexpectedly
|intrude whenever I try to sleep
Themes
mind
|emotions
|health
Examples
- During the exam, a painful memory kept intruding.
- Just as she relaxed, worries intruded again.
- Unwanted thoughts can intrude when you’re tired.
Learner examples
- Bad memories intruded.
- A strange thought intruded into my mind.
Verb
C1
process
4
extend into space unwantedly
to go into a space and cause a problem
Usage pattern:
[thing] intrudes into/on [area/space]
Common mistake:
In this sense, the subject is often a thing (noise, light, roots), not a person.
Synonyms
encroach (Often about gradual expansion into another area.)
|
penetrate (Emphasizes going through or into something.)
Antonyms
recede (Means moving back or becoming less present.)
|
withdraw (Means pulling back from an area or situation.)
Collocations
roots intrude into pipes
|water intrudes into a basement
|noise intrudes on sleep
|light intrudes through curtains
|development intrudes on farmland
|a building intrudes on the skyline
|smoke intrudes into the house
|privacy is intruded upon
|the outside world intrudes
|technology intrudes into daily life
Themes
home
|environment
|construction
Examples
- Tree roots can intrude into drains and cause blockages.
- Bright streetlights intruded into the bedroom all night.
- The new extension intrudes on the garden space.
Learner examples
- Noise intruded on my sleep.
- Roots intruded into the pipe.
Grammar
Dictionary form
intrude
IPA
GB/ɪntɹˈud/
US/ɪntɹˈud/
Syllables & stress
in - trude (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (trude)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: intrude
- 3rd Person Singular: intrudes
- Present Participle: intruding
- Past: intruded
Word family
Expressions
intrude into
1/ɪntɹˈud ˈɪntu/
phrasal verb
enter or involve yourself uninvited
to enter a place or situation when you are not welcome
Examples
- I didn’t want to intrude into their argument.
- The press tried to intrude into the private ceremony.
- Work emails kept intruding into my weekend.
intrude on/upon
1/ɪntɹˈud ənəpən/
phrasal verb
disturb or interfere with
to disturb or affect something in an unwanted way
Examples
- I’m sorry to intrude on your time, but could I ask a quick question?
- The article intruded on her privacy by naming her children.
- New rules may intrude upon basic rights.
intrude oneself
1/ɪntɹˈud wˌʌnsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
force your presence on others
to join or appear when you are not invited
Examples
- He was careful not to intrude himself into their plans.
- I don’t want to intrude myself on your family dinner.
- She intruded herself into the discussion and took over.