1
2
as in to interrupt
to cause a disruption in a conversation or discussion I hate to interpose, but could you tell me what you meant by that last remark?

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of interpose are intercede, interfere, intervene, and mediate. While all these words mean "to come or go between," interpose often implies no more than this.

interposed herself between him and the door

When could intercede be used to replace interpose?

While in some cases nearly identical to interpose, intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness.

interceded on our behalf

When is it sensible to use interfere instead of interpose?

The words interfere and interpose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, interfere implies hindering.

noise interfered with my concentration

When would intervene be a good substitute for interpose?

The synonyms intervene and interpose are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Where would mediate be a reasonable alternative to interpose?

The meanings of mediate and interpose largely overlap; however, 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 interpose Other ads feature images of Harris and VP candidate Tim Walz interposed with post-apocalyptic scenes, and pictures of Walz and President Biden mashed up with images of prescription drugs spilling out of bottles. Emily Baker-White, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interpose
Verb
  • Advertisement Fortunately, medical personnel, taking a quick look at him, intervened and the trip home was delayed.
    Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024
  • Hours later, after Trump intervened, the deal was dead.
    Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The change of manager has interrupted the planning for January.
    Rob Tanner, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
  • During his first term, Mr. Trump led Republicans into the longest government shutdown in history during the 2018 Christmas season, and interrupted the holidays in 2020 by tanking a bipartisan COVID-relief bill and forcing a do-over.
    Lisa Mascaro and Kevin Freking, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The fibers were bundled up into a 2.5-millimeter-thick (0.1-inch) catheter, which was initially inserted into animal brain models of TBI.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Dec. 2024
  • But instead of inserting a shell, heloudly snapped it back shut, with that sharp, signature ratcheting sound shotguns are famous for.
    Jennifer Edwards Baker, The Enquirer, 14 Dec. 2024
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
Verb
  • Over the next three decades, Cambridge Brewing introduced patrons to spiced pumpkin ales and robust barley wines.
    Joshua M. Bernstein, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024
  • After saving as many players as possible during Red Light, Green Light, his inside knowledge of the games is quickly rendered useless when new ones are introduced.
    Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 27 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near interpose

Cite this Entry

“Interpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interpose. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on interpose

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!