INTERVENE Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'intervene' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of intervene are intercede , interfere , interpose , and mediate . While all these words mean "to come or go between," intervene may imply an occurring in space or time between two things or a stepping in to stop a conflict. // quarreled until the manager intervened

Q: When might 'intercede' be a better fit than 'intervene'?

While the synonyms intercede and intervene are close in meaning, intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness. // interceded on our behalf

Q: When is 'interfere' a more appropriate choice than 'intervene'?

The synonyms interfere and intervene are sometimes interchangeable, but interfere implies hindering. // noise interfered with my concentration

Q: In what contexts can 'interpose' take the place of 'intervene'?

The meanings of interpose and intervene largely overlap; however, interpose often implies no more than this. // interposed herself between him and the door

Q: When can 'mediate' be used instead of 'intervene'?

The words mediate and intervene can be used in similar contexts, but mediate implies intervening between hostile factions. // mediated between the parties

intervene

verb

ˌin-tər-ˈvēn

Definition of intervene next

as in to interfere

to act as a go-between for opposing sides intervened in the argument before any real harm was done

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word intervene different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of intervene are intercede, interfere, interpose, and mediate. While all these words mean "to come or go between," intervene may imply an occurring in space or time between two things or a stepping in to stop a conflict.

quarreled until the manager intervened

When might intercede be a better fit than intervene?

While the synonyms intercede and intervene are close in meaning, intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness.

interceded on our behalf

When is interfere a more appropriate choice than intervene?

The synonyms interfere and intervene are sometimes interchangeable, but interfere implies hindering.

noise interfered with my concentration

In what contexts can interpose take the place of intervene?

The meanings of interpose and intervene largely overlap; however, interpose often implies no more than this.

interposed herself between him and the door

When can mediate be used instead of intervene?

The words mediate and intervene can be used in similar contexts, but mediate implies intervening between hostile factions.

mediated between the parties

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of intervene If capable, valorous civilians are unwilling to intervene, others are more vulnerable to attack. —

The Editors, National Review, 9 Dec. 2024 Russia Assad was on a losing streak in Syria until Russian President Vladimir Putin intervened in 2015. —

Mostafa Salem, CNN, 7 Dec. 2024 The Biden administration intervened in Fuld’s case and another brought by 11 American families who originally sued the Palestinian leadership groups two decades ago for several attacks in Israel, winning more than $650 million in a 2015 trial. —

Ella Lee, The Hill, 6 Dec. 2024 Ava intervenes to prevent a fight, explaining the entire situation. —

Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for intervene

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intervene

Verb

Neither the attorney general nor my office interfered nor influenced that process.

Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 16 Dec. 2024
That may be because such costs are difficult for a president to control without interfering in the free market, even as Trump hammered President Joe Biden on the issue.

Sam Woodward, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024