Intrusionan unwanted or improper entering into somewhere or something usually means an unwelcome or unauthorizednot allowed; done without permission entry into a place, space, or situation. It can also be used in geologythe study of Earth, its rocks, and the processes shaping them for the forcing of molten rock into cracks in existing rock, or the rock formed by that process.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ɪnˈtruːʒən/
Easy pronunciation: in-TROO-zhun (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the second syllable: TROO.
Noun meaning entry onto someone else's property without permission.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Intrusion Meaning
going onto someone else’s property without permission
Part of speech: noun
Definition: entry to another's property without right or permission
Example: The farmer called the police after an intrusion onto his land.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- trespass — A direct legal and everyday substitute in this sense.
- encroachment — Can work when the focus is on unauthorized entering or crossing a boundary, though it often suggests gradual infringement.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Intrusion
Meaning 2
a move into a place or area that was empty before
Part of speech: noun
Definition: any entry into an area not previously occupied
Example: The spread of the species was an intrusion into a new habitat.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- encroachment — Works when something spreads into a new area, especially gradually.
- invasion — Fits when the entry is forceful, sudden, or unwanted.
Meaning 3
forced or unwelcome entering
Part of speech: noun
Definition: entrance by force or without permission or welcome
Example: Security reported an intrusion into the building overnight.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- invasion — A strong substitute when the entering is forceful or aggressive.
Meaning 4
molten rock pushing into cracks in older rock
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the forcing of molten rock into fissures or between strata of an earlier rock formation
Example: The intrusion of magma created veins of new rock.
Meaning 5
rock formed when magma cools underground
Part of speech: noun
Definition: rock produced by an intrusive process
Example: This intrusion was studied to understand the region’s volcanic history.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Intrusion Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- trespass
- invasion
entry into a new or previously unoccupied area
- encroachment
- invasion
forced or unwelcome entry
- invasion
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using intrusion to mean any invasion of privacy without context; in everyday English, 'intrusion' often refers to an unwelcome interruption or entry, but the strongest dictionary senses here are about physical entry and geology.
- Mixing up intrusion with usurpation; usurpation is about taking authority or power, not entering property.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does intrusion mean in simple English?
Intrusion means going into a place or area without permission, or in an unwelcome way. In geology, it can also mean molten rock pushing into cracks in older rock.
What is a good synonym for intrusion?
A good synonym depends on the sense. For unauthorized entry, 'trespass' is the closest match. For a forceful or unwelcome entry, 'invasion' can also work.
Is encroachment the same as intrusion?
Not exactly. Encroachment often suggests a gradual or indirect invasion of space or rights, while intrusion can mean a more direct entry or interruption.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-28. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
