intercede

verb

in·​ter·​cede ˌin-tər-ˈsēd 

interceded; interceding

intransitive verb

: to intervene between parties with a view to reconciling differences : mediate

interceder noun

Did you know?

The Latin cedere means "to go", so "go between" is the most literal meaning of intercede. (The same -cede root can also be seen in such words as precede and secede.) If you've been blamed unfairly for something, a friend may intercede on your behalf with your coach or teacher. More often, it will be the coach or teacher who has to intercede in a student dispute. The intercession of foreign governments has sometimes prevented conflicts from becoming worse than they otherwise would have.

Synonyms

• intermediate
• interpose
• intervene
• mediate

Choose the Right Synonym for intercede

interpose, interfere, intervene, mediate, intercede mean to come or go between.

interpose often implies no more than this.

interposed herself between him and the door

interfere implies hindering.

noise interfered with my concentration

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

mediate implies intervening between hostile factions.

mediated between the parties

intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness.

interceded on our behalf

Examples of intercede in a Sentence

Their argument probably would have become violent if I hadn't interceded.

When the boss accused her of lying, several other employees interceded on her behalf.

Recent Examples on the Web

But in this case, the board hasn’t interceded as it’s grown remarkably wealthy from Tesla stock. —Alan Ohnsman, Forbes, 1 Feb. 2025

As real-life danger threatens the brave young heroes, supernatural forces will intercede in their defense. —Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025

China, Russia intercede A new wrinkle has emerged: both China and Russia oppose a new U.N. peacekeeping mission for Haiti, claiming to represent the interests of those harmed by past interventions. —Miami Herald Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2025

Advertisement The speaker’s first two funding plans collapsed as Trump, who does not take the oath of office until Jan. 20, interceded with calls to suspend or lift the government debt ceiling. —Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin intercedere, from inter- + cedere to go

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

intercede

verb

in·​ter·​cede ˌint-ər-ˈsēd 

interceded; interceding

1

: to act as a go-between for hostile parties

2

: to plead in behalf of another