intrusion
B2Formal
Definition
Meaning
The act of entering or being somewhere unwanted or without permission.
The unwelcome or inappropriate presence or appearance of something; in geology, a body of igneous rock that has forced its way into surrounding rock.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Carries a negative connotation of violation of privacy, space, or order. Can be physical, digital, or metaphorical.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. 'Trespass' is a more common legal synonym in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in British English; in American English, often used in contexts of privacy law and computing.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties, with a slight edge in American due to 'intrusion detection system' (cybersecurity).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
intrusion into [something]intrusion on/upon [something]intrusion of [something]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “an unwelcome intrusion”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Concerns about data intrusion and corporate espionage.
Academic
Analyzing the intrusion of bias in scientific research.
Everyday
I felt the neighbour's loud party was an intrusion.
Technical
The granite forms a large igneous intrusion.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The press should not intrude upon their private grief.
- I'm sorry to intrude, but you have a phone call.
American English
- He didn't want to intrude on their conversation.
- The new policy intrudes into family matters.
adverb
British English
- He looked at her intrusively.
- The rock had intruded forcefully.
American English
- The software collects data intrusively.
- The reporter asked questions intrusively.
adjective
British English
- The intrusive questions made her uncomfortable.
- Intrusive igneous rocks like granite.
American English
- She found the camera surveillance highly intrusive.
- Intrusive thoughts can be a symptom.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The loud noise was an intrusion into my quiet afternoon.
- Sorry for the intrusion, but dinner is ready.
- He saw the security camera as an intrusion on his privacy.
- The journalist's question felt like a personal intrusion.
- The new law was criticised as an unwarranted intrusion by the state.
- The volcanic intrusion formed a distinctive ridge across the landscape.
- The court ruled that the search constituted an unlawful intrusion upon the defendant's rights.
- Thematic intrusion in memory recall was a key finding of the study.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a TRUck breaking INTO your yard – an IN-TRU-sion.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRIVACY IS A CONTAINER / SPACE (an intrusion violates its boundaries).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'вторжение' (invasion) for minor social intrusions; it's too strong.
- Do not confuse with 'вмешательство' (interference); intrusion implies entering a space or domain.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'intrusion' for a welcome surprise (incorrect).
- Misspelling as 'intruision'.
Practice
Quiz
In geology, an 'intrusion' refers to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Invasion' suggests a larger-scale, more forceful, and often military entry. 'Intrusion' is generally smaller in scale and can be non-physical (e.g., privacy intrusion).
Almost never. It inherently carries a negative connotation of something unwelcome or inappropriate.
No, it is commonly used for non-physical violations, such as an intrusion into one's private life, thoughts, or digital data.
The verb is 'intrude.' Example: 'I don't mean to intrude.' The adjective is 'intrusive.'
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