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 Way too obtrusive and distracting; a far cry from the very first Fox scorebug which was fairly innocuous in the upper corner of the screen. Mark Cooper, The Athletic, 10 Feb. 2025 Non-obtrusive, twice-daily housekeeping assures that guests can expect impeccably clean guestrooms. Irene S. Levine, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 The fit is close but not suffocating; however, the ankle zippers were somewhat bulky and obtrusive. Mark Eller, Outside Online, 11 Dec. 2024 Critiques of the building’s obtrusive architecture further strengthened the protestors’ case. Elizabeth Blackwell, Longreads, 14 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for obtrusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obtrusive
Adjective
  • This week is the second busiest of the second-quarter earnings season, with 124 S&P 500 companies scheduled to report.
    Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Holland, meanwhile, has been busy since his last foray into superhero fare.
    Rance Collins, IndieWire, 2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The federal government is intrusive, demanding, too opaque to most Americans and very, very expensive to operate.
    John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 20 July 2025
  • Others argue that the board functions as a group and should be assessed as such. Consider, too, that individual evaluations are inevitably both hugely time-consuming and intrusive.
    Priya Cherian Huskins, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Adjective
  • There’s something officious about Alden Ehrenreich.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Jan. 2023
  • Her charming luxury treasure trove has none of that officious chilliness that defines the typical store of its ilk but instead feels like a brocanterie crammed with interesting, unexpected luxury goods from across the world.
    Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2023
Adjective
  • Something that’s annoying, inefficient, or consistently painful.
    Darpan Munjal, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
  • The car inches along, slowly filling the air with the hope of a different future, carried on tiny — albeit annoying — wings.
    Ari Daniel, NPR, 26 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Obtrusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obtrusive. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on obtrusive

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