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 of intercede

• intervene
• interfere

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

Like a modern Odysseus, they are beset by fate to wander and suffer, but the gods will always intercede to help them out with a convenient flood or unlikely coincidence. — Literary Hub, 30 June 2026

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told The Associated Press in March that Turkey had interceded to defuse the tensions. — ABC News, 28 June 2026

Packwood took the case to federal court and lost, ending when Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist refused the senator’s request for the high court to intercede. — Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026

Also, if a player is shown a yellow or red card for an infraction committed by another player, VAR may intercede to make sure it’s given to the correct player. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin intercedere, from inter- + cedere to go

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for intercede

• aniseed
• centipede
• cottonseed
• disagreed
• ganymede
• guaranteed
• overspeed
• pedigreed
• refereed
• supercede
• supersede
• underfeed

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