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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

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
  • 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
  • Though Wisconsin is contesting Lucas’ move to UM, history suggests the NCAA likely won’t intervene.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Kevin Owens interrupted the broadcast and had a spat with Matthew McConaughey, who was sitting in the crowd.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Discouraging is one word for a potential work action that would (once again) interrupt CPS students’ educations, upend the routines of working parents and make Chicago a national punch line.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • At the hospital, surgeons inserted a shunt to control swelling in Manning's brain and tended to his many injuries.
    Wendy Grossman Kantor, People.com, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Cover and cook on low 5 to 6 hours or on high 2 to 3 hours or until an instant read thermometer inserted in the middle of a chop registers 145°F.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Reddit won’t interfere Ars Technica reached out to Reddit for a response to X bans and whether such bans could be interpreted as breaking any of Reddit’s rules.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 22 Jan. 2025
  • And one thing that could help Republicans win future elections is to interfere in what should be the nonpartisan administration and certification of elections.
    Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • After introducing their characters and learning about their mission from the Gramercy Occult Society, the D20 heroes turned the reins to the audience: Using their phones, fans rolled a virtual, 20-sided die to bring an ally or enemy into the show.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 26 Jan. 2025
  • In the year 2000, iPods, hybrid cars, camera phones, and GPS were introduced; iTunes, Wikipedia, and Xbox came in 2001.
    Boutayna Chokrane, Vogue, 26 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near interpose

Cite this Entry

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

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