Definition of interposenext
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as in to interrupt
to cause a disruption in a conversation or discussion I hate to interpose, but could you tell me what you meant by that last remark?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of interpose are intercede, interfere, intervene, and mediate. While all these words mean "to come or go between," interpose often implies no more than this.

interposed herself between him and the door

When could intercede be used to replace interpose?

While in some cases nearly identical to interpose, intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness.

interceded on our behalf

When is it sensible to use interfere instead of interpose?

The words interfere and interpose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, interfere implies hindering.

noise interfered with my concentration

When would intervene be a good substitute for interpose?

The synonyms intervene and interpose are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Where would mediate be a reasonable alternative to interpose?

The meanings of mediate and interpose largely overlap; however, mediate implies intervening between hostile factions.

mediated between the parties

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of interpose Peasant growers’ resistance to these operations fueled the Shining Path insurgency by providing recruits and creating an opening for the guerrillas to interpose themselves between the farmers and the police. Michelle D. Paranzino, The Conversation, 11 June 2026 Would the court have come out the same way, or would suddenly interposing a third-party sale have changed their analysis? Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 9 June 2026 Objects interposed between subjects and the camera hint at the quest for clarity through the intervening years. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026 The Trump Administration saw Amodei as arrogant and intractable, and would not abide a private company, regardless of how good its product might be, interposing itself in the chain of military command. Harry Booth, Time, 11 Mar. 2026 Reading more non-fiction like Rental Person Who Does Nothing by Shoji Morimoto reminded me how many forms books can takes with its short vignettes interposed with images. Literary Hub, 5 Jan. 2026 Other ads feature images of Harris and VP candidate Tim Walz interposed with post-apocalyptic scenes, and pictures of Walz and President Biden mashed up with images of prescription drugs spilling out of bottles. Emily Baker-White, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 An electrolyte—commonly a polymer or ceramic—interposed between the fuel and oxidizer helps shuttle ions within the fuel cell. IEEE Spectrum, 16 May 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interpose
Verb
  • Mayor Vi Lyles, who plans to resign as soon as an appointment is made, rarely intervenes when discussion goes awry and often loses track of motions.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 15 June 2026
  • Whether the High Court ultimately intervenes remains to be seen.
    Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • As Pillay speaks, he is interrupted by random beeps and Canada’s players shouting either in frustration or excitement nearby.
    Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 17 June 2026
  • She is interrupted by a mysterious ice cream delivery, a vintage David commercial that appears on the TV, and a phone call from a stranger who seems to know her thoughts.
    Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Nothing did, so three times over the course of twelve weeks the group bared their arms and allowed strangers to poke them with a needle, through which flowed something new, a substance never before inserted into human bodies.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
  • Depositphotos In a new MIT study – in partnership with Purdue, Northwestern, and Duke universities – chemists have discovered that inserting weaker bonds into polystyrene actually makes the material more resistant to damage.
    Shirl Leigh June 10, New Atlas, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • The Kennedy Center’s leadership argued in its appeal Friday that the renovation was badly needed and accused the lower court, in terms that seemed similar to Trump’s speech patterns, of interfering in the effort.
    Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
  • But a thing called the Civil War interfered.
    Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • Robert De Niro, who was on hand to introduce Springsteen, predictably took many digs at the commander in chief.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 June 2026
  • Damon did not reprise his role in the fourth entry, which introduced a new character portrayed by Jeremy Renner.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 13 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Interpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interpose. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

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