interpose

verb

in·​ter·​pose ˌin-tər-ˈpōz 

interposed; interposing

transitive verb

1

a

: to place in an intervening position

b

: to put (oneself) between : intrude

2

: to put forth by way of interference or intervention

3

: to introduce or throw in between the parts of a conversation or argument

intransitive verb

1

: to be or come between

2

: to step in between parties at variance : intervene

3

: interrupt

interposer noun

Synonyms

• intercede
• intermediate
• intervene
• mediate

Choose the Right Synonym for interpose

interpose, interfere, intervene, mediate, intercede mean to come or go between.

interpose often implies no more than this.

interposed herself between him and the door

interfere implies hindering.

noise interfered with my concentration

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

mediate implies intervening between hostile factions.

mediated between the parties

intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness.

interceded on our behalf

synonyms see in addition introduce

Examples of interpose in a Sentence

The new system has interposed a bureaucratic barrier between doctors and patients.

He tried to interpose himself between the people who were fighting.

Please allow me to interpose a brief observation.

Recent Examples on the Web

In Côte d’Ivoire, a civil war that began in 2002 led to the partition of the country, with a large UN force interposed between the two sides. —Jon Western, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2011

Such a note, seemingly interposed at random, echoes Whitman and DeFeo. —David L. Ulin, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2023

Just this past weekend, a top campaign staffer reshared a video with an image of DeSantis, a Nazi symbol interposed over the Florida flag, and soldiers on the march. —Adrienne Mahsa Varkiani, The New Republic, 25 July 2023

These use a proton-conducting polymer membrane as the electrolyte interposed between the fuel and oxidizer to help shuttle electric charge within the fuel cell. —IEEE Spectrum, 14 June 2023

Biden was taking a harder line with Putin, but when the two met earlier in the summer and Zelensky tried to interpose on the summit with dire warnings about the war, he was ignored. —New York Times, 16 Jan. 2022

With a mask interposed close to the healthy hamsters (the equivalent of a healthy person wearing a mask), one-third were. —The Economist, 28 May 2020

One clever way to avoid the restrictions of being at home, isolated — Kate and Aidy are both being interposed onto different grocery store setting backdrops. —Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 26 Apr. 2020

The female-centric video showcases vintage footage of women interposed with kaleidoscopic effects and shots of the band singing in various costumes. —Danielle Garrand, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Middle French interposer, from Latin interponere (perfect indicative interposui), from inter- + ponere to put — more at position

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

interpose

verb

in·​ter·​pose ˌint-ər-ˈpōz 

interposed; interposing

1

a

: to place in an intervening position

b

: intrude sense 1, interrupt

2

: to introduce in between the parts of a conversation or argument

3

: to step in between opposing parties

interposer noun

interposition

-pə-ˈzish-ən

noun