interfere

in·ter·fere

verb \ˌin-tə(r)-ˈfir\

in·ter·feredin·ter·fer·ing

Definition of INTERFERE

intransitive verb

1

: to interpose in a way that hinders or impedes : come into collision or be in opposition

2

: to strike one foot against the opposite foot or ankle in walking or running —used especially of horses

3

: to enter into or take a part in the concerns of others

4

: to act reciprocally so as to augment, diminish, or otherwise affect one another —used of waves

— in·ter·fer·er noun

Examples of INTERFERE

1. I tried to offer advice without interfering.
2. <a strong resentment of outsiders who attempted to interfere with their traditional ways of doing things>

Origin of INTERFERE

Middle English enterferen, from Anglo-French (s')entreferir to strike one another, from entre- inter- + ferir to strike, from Latin ferire — more at bore

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to INTERFERE

Synonyms: butt in, interlope, intermeddle, intrude, meddle, mess, muck (about or around), nose, obtrude, poke, pry, snoop

Related Words: intercede, interpose, intervene; barge (in), chisel (in), encroach, infringe, invade, trespass; fiddle, fool, monkey, play, tamper

Near Antonyms: avoid, eschew, shun; disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook

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See Synonym Discussion at interpose

Rhymes with INTERFERE

Agadir, atmosphere, auctioneer, balladeer, bandolier, bathysphere, bayadere, Bedfordshire, Bedivere, belvedere, bend one's ear, biosphere, bombardier, boutonniere, brigadier, buccaneer, budgeteer, Cambridgeshire, cameleer, cannoneer, canyoneer, cassimere, cavalier, chandelier, chanticleer, chevalier, chiffonier, chocolatier, chromosphere, commandeer, corsetiere, crystal clear, cuirassier, Derbyshire, diapir, disappear, domineer, ecosphere, Elzevir, engineer, exosphere, fallow deer, fictioneer, financier, fiscal year, fourdrinier, fusilier, gadgeteer, gasolier, gazetteer, ginger beer, Gloucestershire, gondolier, grenadier, Guinevere, hemisphere, Hertfordshire, Holy Year, inner ear, insincere, in the clear, jardiniere, junketeer, kerseymere, landing gear, lavaliere, marketeer, Meyerbeer, middle ear, missileer, mountaineer, muleteer, musketeer, mutineer, on one's ear, outer ear, overhear, overseer, oversteer, Oxfordshire, pamphleteer, persevere, photosphere, pioneer, pistoleer, privateer, profiteer, puppeteer, racketeer, rocketeer, running gear, scrutineer, sloganeer, sonneteer, souvenir, Staffordshire, steering gear, stratosphere, summiteer, swimmer's ear, thermosphere, troposphere, Tyne and Wear, understeer, vintage year, Vladimir, volunteer, Warwickshire, Windermere, yesteryear