OBTRUSIVE Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'obtrusive' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of obtrusive are impertinent , intrusive , meddlesome , and officious . While all these words mean "given to thrusting oneself into the affairs of others," obtrusive stresses improper or offensive conspicuousness of interfering actions. // expressed an obtrusive concern for his safety

Q: When can 'impertinent' be used instead of 'obtrusive'?

The meanings of impertinent and obtrusive largely overlap; however, impertinent implies exceeding the bounds of propriety in showing interest or curiosity or in offering advice. // resented their impertinent interference

Q: When would 'intrusive' be a good substitute for 'obtrusive'?

While in some cases nearly identical to obtrusive , intrusive implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs. // tried to be helpful without being intrusive

Q: When is 'meddlesome' a more appropriate choice than 'obtrusive'?

The synonyms meddlesome and obtrusive are sometimes interchangeable, but meddlesome stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs. // a meddlesome landlord

Q: When might 'officious' be a better fit than 'obtrusive'?

The words officious and obtrusive can be used in similar contexts, but officious implies the offering of services or attentions that are unwelcome or annoying. // officious friends made the job harder

obtrusive

adjective

əb-ˈtrü-siv

Definition of obtrusive

as in busy

thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited meddling in other people's romantic lives is both obtrusive and presumptuous

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective obtrusive contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of obtrusive are impertinent, intrusive, meddlesome, and officious. While all these words mean "given to thrusting oneself into the affairs of others," obtrusive stresses improper or offensive conspicuousness of interfering actions.

expressed an obtrusive concern for his safety

When can impertinent be used instead of obtrusive?

The meanings of impertinent and obtrusive largely overlap; however, impertinent implies exceeding the bounds of propriety in showing interest or curiosity or in offering advice.

resented their impertinent interference

When would intrusive be a good substitute for obtrusive?

While in some cases nearly identical to obtrusive, intrusive implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs.

tried to be helpful without being intrusive

When is meddlesome a more appropriate choice than obtrusive?

The synonyms meddlesome and obtrusive are sometimes interchangeable, but meddlesome stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs.

a meddlesome landlord

When might officious be a better fit than obtrusive?

The words officious and obtrusive can be used in similar contexts, but officious implies the offering of services or attentions that are unwelcome or annoying.

officious friends made the job harder

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of obtrusive The service Smart, knowledgable, and friendly without being obtrusive. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026 The big drawback is the fact that the machine is obtrusive, awkward, and decidedly unsexy. — Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026 There are multiple reasons for the growth, but a core one is offering a fitness tracker that is much less obtrusive than a smartwatch. — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 5 Feb. 2026 One setback of leather sofas can be their visual weight—a design term tossed around to describe how large pieces can feel overwhelming or obtrusive without the right styling. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 10 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obtrusive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obtrusive

Adjective

Elsewhere in the store, staff were busy stocking shelves, and most products were in plentiful supply.

— JOHN LEICESTER, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
Flynn shared concerns that a gate near Sheridan could back traffic up into a busy intersection at Quincy.

— Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of busy

Adjective

Encryption does not justify unnecessary collection, indefinite retention or intrusive profiling.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
The couple stepped back from royal duties that year, citing intrusive coverage by the British press and a lack of support from the palace.

— Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of intrusive

Adjective

McCartney said of his note to Mendes about the height imbalance, wondering how the director will rectify this annoying, historic aberration.

— Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
Something in your routine, schedule, or workload may feel disproportionately annoying or demanding, especially if too many little things pile up at once.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of annoying

Adjective

Ambivalent about leaving Wisconsin, Caroline is befriended by the officious Jemma James (Mary Holland), whose husband, Eli (Michael Hough), is a railroad man.

— Judy Berman, Time, 9 July 2026
The former is heralded with a blast of horns; the latter guards its inner sanctum behind Tobie Windham’s officious sentry.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of officious

Browse Nearby Words

obtrusions

obtrusive

obtrusiveness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Obtrusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obtrusive. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of obtrusive

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes