pushy / intrusive
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pushy
Behaving in a way that is perceived as annoying, intrusive, or lacking appropriate distance, and that bothers others.
Der Verkäufer war so aufdringlich, dass ich das Geschäft verlassen habe.
The salesperson was so pushy that I left the store.
overpowering
Refers to sensory impressions such as colors, smells, or sounds that are unpleasantly strong or intense.
Das Parfüm seiner Kollegin war ihm viel zu aufdringlich.
His colleague's perfume was much too overpowering for him.
The adjective 'aufdringlich' (pushy/intrusive) comes from the verb 'aufdringen'. That means to force something on someone against their will or to approach someone even though it is unwanted. The ending '-lich' turns it into an adjective.
Sein Versuch, mir zu helfen, war gut gemeint, aber etwas aufdringlich.
His attempt to help me was well meant, but a bit intrusive.
When it is about people, 'aufdringlich' (pushy) often describes a certain behavior. Typical combinations are 'aufdringliche Fragen stellen' (to ask intrusive questions), 'ein aufdringlicher Mensch' (a pushy person), or 'aufdringliches Verhalten' (pushy behavior).
Er stellte sehr persönliche und aufdringliche Fragen.
He asked very personal and intrusive questions.
When 'aufdringlich' is used with sensory impressions such as smells, colors, or sounds, it means 'unpleasantly intense'. The context makes it clear that it does not refer to a person, but to a quality.
Die Farbe der Wände war ein sehr aufdringliches Pink.
The color of the walls was a very overpowering pink.
sticky / smarmy
Aufdringlich and klebrig can describe unwanted closeness from a person. Aufdringlich generally refers to annoying or overly familiar behavior. Klebrig describes, figuratively and more judgmentally, someone who seems to cling to another person and is difficult to shake off.
Der Gast wurde aufdringlich und stellte mir immer wieder persönliche Fragen.
The guest became pushy and kept asking me personal questions.
Der Gast wurde richtig klebrig und folgte mir trotz meiner Ablehnung durch den ganzen Raum.
The guest became really clingy and followed me through the entire room despite my refusal.
