intrude
/in'tru:d/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb (transitive):
- To force something (like an idea, opinion, or presence) upon someone or into a situation in an unwelcome or inappropriate way.
- (Geology) To force (molten rock) into or between existing rock formations.
Verb (intransitive):
- To enter a place, situation, or conversation without invitation, permission, or welcome.
- To encroach or infringe upon something, such as privacy, time, or rights.
Usage and Examples
Transitive Verb (to force something upon):
- He didn't want to intrude his political views on the casual gathering.
- The company was accused of intruding advertisements into the users' private messages.
Intransitive Verb (to enter without welcome):
- I'm sorry to intrude, but you have a phone call.
- Reporters intruded into the hospital room, seeking a statement from the actor.
- Please knock; I don't want anyone to intrude on my meeting.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
"Intrude on/upon": This is the most common prepositional phrase, used to specify what is being encroached upon (e.g., privacy, silence, time, property).
- The loud construction noise intruded upon the peaceful afternoon.
- She felt the new policy intruded on her personal freedoms.
Geological Context:
- The granite intruded the older sedimentary layers millions of years ago.
Variants and Related Words
- Intruder (noun): A person who intrudes, especially into a building illegally.
- The security system detected an intruder.
- Intrusion (noun): The act of intruding or the thing that intrudes.
- The paparazzi's constant presence was a serious intrusion.
- Intrusive (adjective): Causing disruption or annoyance by unwelcome involvement.
- She asked intrusive questions about his finances.
Synonyms
- Trespass: To enter someone's land or property without permission. (Often implies a legal violation.)
- Encroach: To advance gradually beyond usual or acceptable limits. (Often used for land or rights.)
- Butt in: (Informal) To interrupt a conversation or activity impolitely.
- Meddle: To interfere in something that is not one's concern.
Phrasal Verbs and Common Collocations
- Intrude on/upon: To violate or disturb something.
- I hate to intrude on your grief, but we need to discuss the arrangements.
- Intrude into: To enter a physical space or area of interest without right.
- The spy agency was accused of intruding into the country's digital infrastructure.
Idioms and Fixed Expressions
- To intrude oneself (up)on someone: To force one's company or presence on someone.
- He had a habit of intruding himself upon his neighbors every weekend.
- An unwelcome/intrusive thought: A thought that enters the mind disturbingly and without invitation.
- Despite her efforts to be happy, an intrusive thought about the accident kept returning.
Verb
- thrust oneself in as if by force
- The colors don't intrude on the viewer
- search or inquire in a meddlesome way
- This guy is always nosing around the office
- enter unlawfully on someone's property
- Don't trespass on my land!
- enter uninvited
- They intruded on our dinner party
- She irrupted into our sitting room