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Infest vs Intrude - What's the difference?

infest | intrude |

As verbs the difference between infest and intrude

is that infest is to inhabit a place in unpleasantly large numbers while intrude is to thrust oneself in; to come or enter without invitation, permission, or welcome; to encroach; to trespass.

As an adjective infest

is (obsolete) mischievous; hurtful; harassing.

infest

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To inhabit a place in unpleasantly large numbers
    • Insects are infesting my basement!
  • (pathology, of a parasite) To invade a host plant or animal

    • Synonyms

    *

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (obsolete) mischievous; hurtful; harassing
    • (Spenser)

    Anagrams

    * *

    intrude

    English

    Verb

    (intrud)
  • To thrust oneself in; to come or enter without invitation, permission, or welcome; to encroach; to trespass.
    • to intrude''' on families at unseasonable hours; to '''intrude on the lands of another
  • * I. Watts
    • Some thoughts rise and intrude upon us, while we shun them; others fly from us, when we would hold them.

    Derived terms

    * intruder * intrusion

    See also

    * invade

    Anagrams

    * untried