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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

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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

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 interpose Nathan sought to interpose himself in sensitive deals despite his lack of experience. Sam Knight, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025 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 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
  • The real skill is knowing when to intervene, when to let the system adapt and how to use this unpredictability to create better outcomes.
    Richie Etwaru, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Pasamanick — who said she was disappointed nobody intervened or tried to help during the attack — was left with bites and bruises on her leg, while Sparky also had bite marks, per WESH 2 and WLBT.
    Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But Cherry interrupts their twosome and a brawl ensues.
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • It's not supposed to be interrupted by hazardous mold.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • By inserting an extra biochemical cycle into a model plant, the researchers boosted growth, seed yield, and fat production without increasing water demand.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The full-on answers are below for each group, finally inserting the four words in each category.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Some individuals were detained, and one of their family members tried to interfere and hit an officer, police said.
    Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
  • But the coach allegedly interfered in that meeting too.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The training introduces the concepts used in stream team monitoring such as hydrology, natural and human impact on streams and monitoring methods.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Punk introduced himself as AJ Lee’s husband.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Interpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interpose. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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