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

In The Pitt’s enlightened universe, doctors are not just trustworthy but saintly, ever ready to intercede for you and me. —Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026

Young courtesan wannabe Gigi (Leslie Caron) and Parisian playboy Gaston (Louis Jourdan) see each other as just friends, until romance intercedes in the musical confection. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026

State media said Lebanese President Joseph Aoun asked French counterpart Emmanuel Macron to intercede with Israel to stop the Dahiyeh’s targeting and bring about a ceasefire. —Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026

As Clare Malone reported for The New Yorker, Woodward beseeched Bezos to intercede. —Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 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