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

Example 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 Moscow is also accused of interfering in Romania's election, which led to the cancellation of the result favoring Georgescu. David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025 Refuse to let anyone interfere or talk you out of following your instincts. Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2025 The actress often works in London, and plays the interfering Miss. Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2025 Cabinet members reportedly watched the fiery exchange without interfering. Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for interfere
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interfere
Verb
  • European leaders have messed it up in the last three years.
    Peter Aitken, Newsweek, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Tackle messes on carpet and hard floors with Shark’s 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop.
    Ali Faccenda, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Admins with full access can snoop on the communications at any time.
    Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Back at Kayenta Police Station, a new FBI agent, Sylvie Washington, is snooping around.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The church said the shooting was not carried out by anyone affiliated with its ministry, and Shed was killed while attempting to intervene.
    Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Wolff said Xi may not be ready to take Taiwan by force yet as there are other hotspots in the South China Sea where the U.S. potentially would be obliged to intervene against Chinese belligerence, such as the Philippines.
    John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Others, of course, love the show's ability to poke fun at the cultural and political zeitgeist of the moment.
    Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025
  • The success of Deadpool & Wolverine was a bright spot in 2024, but that movie soared to success in part by poking fun at Marvel's failings.
    Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The idea of having Big Government meddle in personal reproductive decisions should raise a red flag for anyone who cares about personal freedoms.
    Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2025
  • However, judges have been ruling that DOGE has been meddling too much, and too fast, with Congress’ power to authorize funds and create federal agencies.
    Henry Gass, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Just such a breakdown had occurred in Vietnam and Burma in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when colonial authorities began to intrude into peasant life, privatizing village lands, forests, and fisheries and introducing a multitude of punishing taxes.
    Nikil Saval, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The first hit is free, as per usual, and after the honeymoon period, ads will intrude into the Friends tab too.
    John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Interfere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interfere. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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