Cool MateIntrude vs Invade
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Intrude
Top 3,000 (common)
Invade
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Most common: Invade
| Intrude | Invade | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪnˈtruːd//🇺🇸 //ɪnˈtrud// | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈveɪd/","/ɪnˈveɪdz/","/ɪnˈveɪdɪd/","/ɪnˈveɪdɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈveɪd/","/ɪnˈveɪdz/","/ɪnˈveɪdɪd/","/ɪnˈveɪdɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To enter a place or situation where you are not wanted. | To enter a place violently and take control. |
| Example | He didn't mean to intrude, but he overheard their conversation. | Troops invaded on August 9th that year. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | intrude on someone's space, intrude into someone's life, intrude upon privacy, intrude in a conversation, intrude into a situation | invade a country, invade privacy, invade a space |
| Antonyms | respect, avoid, leave alone | retreat, withdraw, evacuate |
| Common mistakes | Used incorrectly as 'intrusion' instead of 'intrude'., Confusing 'intrude' with 'interrupt'., Omitting the preposition 'on' or 'upon' after 'intrude'. | Confused with 'invincible' (unbeatable)., Used inappropriately for non-violent situations., Incorrectly saying 'invades on' instead of 'invades'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'intrude' when discussing unwanted entry or disruption, typically in social or private contexts. | Use 'invade' in contexts of war or when discussing unwanted entry. It's not appropriate for casual conversations unless metaphorically. |
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Frequently asked questions: Intrude vs Invade
What's the difference between Intrude and Invade?
Intrude: To enter a place or situation where you are not wanted. Invade: To enter a place violently and take control.
Which is more common: Intrude and Invade?
Invade is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Intrude: He didn't mean to intrude, but he overheard their conversation. Invade: Troops invaded on August 9th that year.
Can I use Intrude and Invade interchangeably?
Not always. Intrude and Invade are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.