interfere

in·ter·fere

intransitive verb \ˌin-tə(r)-ˈfir\

in·ter·feredin·ter·fer·ing

Definition of INTERFERE

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

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

in·ter·fere

intransitive verb \ˌint-ə(r)-ˈfi(ə)r\   (Medical Dictionary)

in·ter·fered; in·ter·fer·ing

Medical Definition of INTERFERE

1

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

2

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

3

: to be inconsistent with and disturb the performance of previously learned behavior