intrusion
gb/ɪntɹˈuʒən/ us/ɪntɹˈuʒən/
B2
English
~ 9600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
action
1
unwanted involvement or invasion
The act of going into someone’s space, life, or private matters when they do not want you there.
Usage pattern:
an intrusion into [someone's] [privacy/life/space]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "intrusion" with "interruption". An interruption is usually a short break in talk or activity, while an intrusion suggests entering someone’s private space or life in a way that feels wrong or too personal. Another common mistake is using the wrong preposition; the most natural collocation is "intrusion into" someone’s privacy, life, or space, not *"intrusion on"* or *"intrusion to"* in standard written English.
Synonyms
invasion (Stronger and more dramatic, often suggests force and large scale, but also used for privacy like 'an invasion of privacy'.)
|
encroachment (More formal; suggests slow or gradual intrusion into rights, time, or space.)
|
interference (Focuses on involvement that stops someone acting freely; less about physical or spatial entry.)
Antonyms
respect (Respect for someone’s boundaries or privacy means not intruding on them.)
|
privacy (Intrusion breaks or reduces privacy; privacy is the condition without intrusion.)
Collocations
an intrusion into privacy
|media intrusion
|constant intrusion
|an unwelcome intrusion
|intrusion into family life
|unnecessary intrusion
Themes
relationships
|law
|daily life
|emotions
Examples
- They regarded the hidden cameras as a serious intrusion into their private lives.
- She finds constant phone calls from journalists an intrusion on her peace and quiet.
- Many people see targeted online ads as an unacceptable intrusion into their personal data.
- The open-plan office can feel like an intrusion into employees’ sense of personal space.
- He apologized for the intrusion and quickly stepped out of the room.
Learner examples
- The loud music from next door is an intrusion into my quiet evening.
- Paparazzi are often criticized for their intrusion into the lives of famous people.
- I am sorry for the intrusion, but I need to ask you a question.
- She felt the questions about her family were an intrusion into her privacy.
Noun
C1
action
2
unauthorized entry or break-in
When someone gets into a place or computer system without permission.
Usage pattern:
an intrusion into [a place/system]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse "intrusion" instead of more common everyday words like "break-in" when talking about crime in homes or shops. In very general spoken English, "break-in" is more frequent for houses, while "intrusion" is often used in technical or formal security contexts, especially for computer systems.
Synonyms
break-in (Common in everyday English for illegal entry into a building, especially to steal.)
|
breach (Often used in formal or technical contexts for breaking security, rules, or an agreement.)
|
hack (Informal/technical; usually refers to unauthorized entry into a computer system rather than a physical place.)
Antonyms
authorized access (Describes entry that has official permission and is the opposite of intrusion in a security context.)
|
secure perimeter (A protected boundary that has not been breached or entered without permission.)
Collocations
home intrusion
|security intrusion
|network intrusion
|detect an intrusion
|report an intrusion
|intrusion alert
Themes
crime
|technology
|law
Examples
- The company installed new software to detect any intrusion into its computer network.
- Police are investigating a late-night intrusion at the warehouse.
- The alarm system is designed to alert staff to any intrusion through the front or back doors.
- After the data intrusion, customers were warned to change their passwords immediately.
- Sensors along the fence will trigger an alert in the event of an intrusion.
Learner examples
- The camera can record any intrusion into the building at night.
- The bank uses special software to stop intrusion into its computers.
- There was an intrusion at the office, but nothing was stolen.
- The guard checks the doors every hour to prevent intrusion.
Noun
technical
C2
entity
3
igneous body in older rock
In geology, rock that was once hot liquid (magma) and moved into older rock under the ground, then became solid there.
Usage pattern:
an intrusion of [magma/igneous rock] into [rock/formation]
Synonyms
igneous body (General geological term; does not specifically highlight that it forced its way into older rock.)
|
pluton (More technical; usually refers to a large, deep-seated igneous intrusion.)
Antonyms
extrusion (Refers to lava or volcanic material that comes out onto the Earth’s surface, the opposite of rock that solidifies underground.)
Collocations
igneous intrusion
|magma intrusion
|granite intrusion
|basaltic intrusion
|igneous rock intrusion
|subsurface intrusion
Themes
science
|geology
|nature
Examples
- The granite intrusion can be clearly seen cutting across the surrounding sedimentary layers.
- Radiometric dating of the intrusion suggests that the magma solidified around 120 million years ago.
- The mining company is interested in the intrusion because it may host valuable mineral deposits.
- A later basaltic intrusion altered the older sandstone through heat and pressure.
- The map shows several small igneous intrusions scattered through the region.
Learner examples
- The students studied an igneous intrusion in the cliff face.
- This intrusion formed when hot magma moved into the older rock.
- The intrusion cooled slowly under the ground and became solid.
- Many mineral veins are found near this large intrusion.
Noun
technical
C2
action
4
insertion of an extra sound
In language study, when a speaker adds an extra sound between sounds or words when speaking.
Usage pattern:
intrusion of [a sound] between [sounds/words]
Synonyms
epenthesis (Formal technical term for inserting a sound; often used in academic writing.)
Antonyms
elision (The omission of a sound, which is conceptually the opposite of adding a sound.)
Collocations
vowel intrusion
|consonant intrusion
|intrusion of /r/
|intrusion in connected speech
Themes
language
|linguistics
|education
|communication
Examples
- The lecturer used the phrase "law and order" to demonstrate /r/ intrusion in some accents of English.
- Intrusion often occurs in fast, connected speech, making extra sounds appear between words.
- The study focuses on vowel intrusion in the speech of bilingual children.
Learner examples
- Some English accents show intrusion of an /r/ sound between words.
- Intrusion can make two words sound like one long word.
- Teachers sometimes explain intrusion when they teach connected speech.
Grammar
Dictionary form
intrusion
IPA
GB/ɪntɹˈuʒən/
US/ɪntɹˈuʒən/
Syllables & stress
in - tru - sion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tru)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: intrusion
- Plural: intrusion, intrusions
Word family
Expressions
an intrusion into someone's privacy
1/ən ɪntɹˈuʒən ˈɪntu sˈʌmwˌʌnz pɹˈaɪvəsi/
fixed phrase
unwanted invasion of privacy
A situation where someone looks into or gets involved in another person’s private life or personal information when that person does not want it.
Examples
- Many people see constant online tracking as an intrusion into their privacy.
- The judge ruled that publishing the photos was an intrusion into the singer’s privacy.
- She refused to answer the question, calling it an intrusion into her privacy.
intrusion detection system
1/ɪntɹˈuʒən dɪtˈɛkʃən sˈɪstəm/
fixed phrase
technical
system that detects security breaches
A special computer program or device that watches a network or computer and sends a warning if someone tries to get in without permission.
Examples
- The company installed an intrusion detection system to monitor traffic on its internal network.
- An effective intrusion detection system can quickly alert administrators to possible cyberattacks.
- They upgraded their intrusion detection system after a serious data breach last year.
noise intrusion
1/nˈɔɪz ɪntɹˈuʒən/
fixed phrase
unwanted outside noise entering
Noise from outside that comes into a room or building and bothers people.
Examples
- Double-glazed windows help reduce noise intrusion from the street.
- The report found that noise intrusion from aircraft was affecting children’s sleep.
- We need better insulation to cut down on noise intrusion in these apartments.
sorry for the intrusion
1/sˈɑɹi fɚ ðə ɪntɹˈuʒən/
fixed phrase
apologizing for disturbing someone
A polite way to say you are sorry when you disturb someone by coming in, calling, or joining a conversation.
Examples
- Sorry for the intrusion, but could I speak to you for a minute?
- He opened the door slightly and said, "Sorry for the intrusion," before stepping inside.
- Sorry for the intrusion; I didn’t realize you were in a meeting.
unwarranted intrusion
1/ʌnwˈɔɹəntɪd ɪntɹˈuʒən/
fixed phrase
intrusion without good reason
An intrusion that is not fair, not needed, or not supported by law or facts.
Examples
- The committee called the surprise inspection an unwarranted intrusion by the central government.
- Residents complained that the cameras were an unwarranted intrusion into their daily lives.
- He argued that the new rules were an unwarranted intrusion on academic freedom.