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

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 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
  • Further study of what goes wrong in pregnancy at high elevation or when the oxygen levels reaching the fetus are low hopefully will reveal new indications of when to intervene.
    Tim Vernimmen, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2025
  • UltraViolet’s initiative is designed to pressure the Trump administration to intervene.
    David Catanese, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Joe Biden last welcomed the Dodgers to the White House in 2021, marking a return to a regular tradition that was interrupted by Covid-19.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Huw Owen, the company’s chief executive, said its electrical supply was interrupted when the fire broke out.
    Michael D. Shear, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • They can be installed at more ergonomic heights than a range, which requires bending over to insert or retrieve items from oven cavities.
    Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Maybe most notable is their dial design which makes the buds incredibly easy to insert and control, both real-life conveniences that often get overlooked by reviewers and buyers alike.
    Simon Hill, Wired News, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • That approach works better, interfering less with the maestro’s performance(s), while sleight of hand allows the actor to appear opposite himself in a handful of scenes.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
  • That complaint, in reference to electioneering and interfering in the polls, was lodged against Martin Sorice for wearing clothing supporting then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at an early voting Schererville site last fall.
    Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Pacifica’s apparent interest in introducing housing to the area does not appear to be singular.
    Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Prior’s posthumously published 1843 memoir, Walks of Usefulness, drew on reports from these missionary visits, introducing the AFMRS to an even wider audience.
    Jenna Deep, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Interpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interpose. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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!