interject

verb

in·​ter·​ject ˌin-tər-ˈjekt How to pronounce interject (audio)
interjected; interjecting; interjects

transitive verb

: to throw in between or among other things : interpolate
interject a remark
interjector noun
interjectory adjective

Did you know?

According to its Latin roots, interject ought to mean literally "throw between". For most of the word's history, however, the only things that have been interjected have been comments dropped suddenly into a conversation. Interjections are often humorous, and sometimes even insulting, and the best interjections are so quick that the conversation isn't even interrupted.

Choose the Right Synonym for interject

introduce, insert, insinuate, interpolate, intercalate, interpose, interject mean to put between or among others.

introduce is a general term for bringing or placing a thing or person into a group or body already in existence.

introduced a new topic into the conversation

insert implies putting into a fixed or open space between or among.

inserted a clause in the contract

insinuate implies introducing gradually or by gentle pressure.

insinuated himself into the group

interpolate applies to the inserting of something extraneous or spurious.

interpolated her own comments into the report

intercalate suggests an intrusive inserting of something in an existing series or sequence.

new chapters intercalated with the old

interpose suggests inserting an obstruction or cause of delay.

interpose barriers to communication

interject implies an abrupt or forced introduction.

interjected a question

Examples of interject in a Sentence

“That's an interesting idea,” he interjected, “but I don't think you've considered all of the details.” She listened to us, interjecting remarks every so often. If I may interject, I have things I'd like to add.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Just head of the one-hour mark, a member of the House attempted to interrupt Jeffries' speech, causing the speaker to interject. Daniel Orton kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025 Pitt was honoring actor/director Bradley Cooper at the festival when football was interjected. Kansas City Star, 2 July 2025 In an interview with Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo, Bartiromo brought up a Truth Social post from Trump saying Democrats had leaked intelligence around the Iran strike, to which the president interjected that they should be prosecuted. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 29 June 2025 Both Jones and Compagno then made separate attempts to interject, seemingly trying to cut Koffler off. Bailey Richards, People.com, 15 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for interject

Word History

Etymology

Latin interjectus, past participle of intericere, from inter- + jacere to throw — more at jet

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of interject was in 1588

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Interject.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interject. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

interject

verb
in·​ter·​ject ˌint-ər-ˈjekt How to pronounce interject (audio)
: to throw in between or among other things
interject a remark
interjector noun
interjectory adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on interject

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!