INTERVENE Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'intervene' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of intervene are intercede , interfere , interpose , and mediate . While all these words mean "to come or go between," 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: When might 'intercede' be a better fit than 'intervene'?

While the synonyms intercede and intervene are close in meaning, intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness. // interceded on our behalf

Q: When is 'interfere' a more appropriate choice than 'intervene'?

The synonyms interfere and intervene are sometimes interchangeable, but interfere implies hindering. // noise interfered with my concentration

Q: In what contexts can 'interpose' take the place of 'intervene'?

The meanings of interpose and intervene largely overlap; however, interpose often implies no more than this. // interposed herself between him and the door

Q: When can 'mediate' be used instead of 'intervene'?

The words mediate and intervene can be used in similar contexts, but mediate implies intervening between hostile factions. // mediated between the parties

intervene

verb

ˌin-tər-ˈvēn

Definition of intervene next

as in to interfere

to act as a go-between for opposing sides intervened in the argument before any real harm was done

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of intervene are intercede, interfere, interpose, and mediate. While all these words mean "to come or go between," 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

When might intercede be a better fit than intervene?

While the synonyms intercede and intervene are close in meaning, intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness.

interceded on our behalf

When is interfere a more appropriate choice than intervene?

The synonyms interfere and intervene are sometimes interchangeable, but interfere implies hindering.

noise interfered with my concentration

In what contexts can interpose take the place of intervene?

The meanings of interpose and intervene largely overlap; however, interpose often implies no more than this.

interposed herself between him and the door

When can mediate be used instead of intervene?

The words mediate and intervene can be used in similar contexts, but mediate implies intervening between hostile factions.

mediated between the parties

Examples of intervene in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web The partial stay came hours before Robert Roberson's death warrant was set to expire at midnight and following a back-and-forth series of legal maneuvers, including an earlier decision by the U.S. Supreme Court not to intervene in the case. —

Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2024 Holland's costars — including Benedict Cumberbatch, Zendaya, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Pom Klementieff — have also frequently intervened during interviews and panels to make sure Holland doesn't accidentally dish on anything too spicy. —

EW.com, 18 Oct. 2024 Luckily, Miranda intervened on her behalf with Ndugu. —

Charlie Mason, TVLine, 17 Oct. 2024 In a matter of days, multiple appeals were rejected in state courts, the Texas pardons board rejected his bid for clemency and the US Supreme Court declined to intervene. —

Dakin Andone, CNN, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for intervene

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intervene

Verb

Say no to temptation and to those trying to slow you down or interfere in your personal life.

Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
Raffensperger has previously accused Russia of attempting to interfere in the state’s elections, including through the use of videos with disinformation about election integrity.

Yash Roy, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024