Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of interfere are intercede, interpose, intervene, and mediate. While all these words mean "to come or go between," interfere implies hindering.

noise interfered with my concentration

When is intercede a more appropriate choice than interfere?

The words intercede and interfere can be used in similar contexts, but intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness.

interceded on our behalf

When can interpose be used instead of interfere?

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

interposed herself between him and the door

Where would intervene be a reasonable alternative to interfere?

While the synonyms intervene and interfere are close in meaning, 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

In what contexts can mediate take the place of interfere?

While in some cases nearly identical to interfere, 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 interfere Only one penalty called, could’ve been 5+ the way this team was interfering and taking extra shots at tsyplakov. Kevin Kurz, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025 Already, Trump tried to interfere in Justice Department investigations and prosecutions during his first presidency, according to multiple reports. Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2025 Smith strongly defended the report's work and emphasized that the DOJ never sought to interfere in it. Carrie Johnson, NPR, 14 Jan. 2025 In 2023, however, Trudeau learned that the Chinese state had been interfering in Canadian elections for some time. David Frum, The Atlantic, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for interfere 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interfere
Verb
  • In today’s episode, Wesley sits down with Linda to discuss the health risks of relaxers, the hair icons that messed them both up and the culture surrounding hair relaxing that keeps people using these products.
    Linda Villarosa Paula Szuchman, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Giving users more control is great as long as there's not too much potential to mess things up.
    Paul Monckton, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The open fields doctrine has long aggravated farmers and ranchers, who are unable to keep law enforcement from snooping on their livestock, crops and pasture.
    Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Install strong antivirus protection on all your new devices The best way to ensure that your devices are protected and that no one is snooping around on your data or browsing history is by purchasing antivirus software.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • In their request, attorneys asked the court to intervene and order Edison to preserve evidence out of concern the company would destroy evidence linked to the fire.
    Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025
  • As the charges now facing Bannon in Manhattan are on the state level, Trump cannot intervene.
    Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Timothée Chalamet playfully poked fun at himself during his Saturday Night Live monologue on Jan. 25.
    Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 26 Jan. 2025
  • What to Expect Laser treatments are relatively quick, outpatient procedures that cause minimal pain; some people feel poking or burning sensations.
    Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 23 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • With Musk about to become a key advisor to Donald Trump’s White House and meddling in European politics, many now see the X and Tesla owner as someone who embodies either the destroyer or the savior of the Western world.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2025
  • Panama and its neighbors tend to see Mr. Trump’s comments as a blend of both the 1890s and the 1980s, when the Cold War led Washington to meddle in many Latin American countries under the guise of fighting Communism.
    Damien Cave, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • This buttresses the claim of how vital PVOD is, even if its often early streaming release (in this case after six weekends, later than usual for Universal) seems to intrude on theatrical play.
    Tom Brueggemann, IndieWire, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Wind and sirens intrude, followed by helicopter blades.
    Brendan Fitzgerald, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near interfere

Cite this Entry

“Interfere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interfere. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on interfere

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