INTERFERE Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

interfere

verb

ˌin-tər-ˈfir

Definition of interfere next

as in to mess

to interest oneself in what is not one's concern a strong resentment of outsiders who attempted to interfere with their traditional ways of doing things

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Recommended The Monitor's View Thanksgiving as forgiving In one amicus brief, a group of scholars argues that there is a strong history and tradition of states having limited powers to interfere in medical decisions that parents make for their children. —

Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 Dec. 2024 In August—and in print, no less—Trump threatened Zuckerberg with lifetime incarceration if he was perceived to interfere in the 2024 election. —

Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2024 Willow Nightingale interfered to attack Marina Shafir to a huge pop. —

Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024 One of my personal favorite characters is Liz, Jimmy and Alice’s interfering neighbor. —

Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for interfere

Recent Examples of Synonyms for interfere

Verb

Georgia Tech coach Brent Key quietly has turned a Yellow Jackets mess back into a solid program.

Chris Vannini, The Athletic, 19 Aug. 2024
Best Walmart Black Friday Cordless Vacuum Deals Cordless vacuums can make cleaning up small, everyday messes a simple task.

Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 29 Nov. 2024