intercede

verb

in·ter·cede | \ ˌin-tər-ˈsēd

interceded; interceding

Definition of intercede

: to intervene between parties with a view to reconciling differences : mediate

Other Words from intercede Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about intercede

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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

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.

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

Much of the national-security commentariat is appalled by President Trump’s decision to intercede in the clearance process for Jared Kushner, who is Mr. Trump’s son-in-law. — Reuel Marc Gerecht, WSJ, "Trump and Jared’s Clearance," 14 Mar. 2019 The administration then issued a second entry ban — which the courts again interceded to block — and ultimately the U.S. Supreme Court fashioned a compromise that allowed the ban to go into effect, with exceptions. — Wesley Lowery, Washington Post, "Early chaos of Trump’s travel ban set stage for a year of immigration policy debates," 6 Feb. 2018 If Sabraw doesn’t intercede on the ACLU’s behalf, family reunification could be followed very swiftly by family deportations and family re-separations. — Dara Lind, Vox, "At court deadline, more than half of separated migrant families have been reunited," 27 July 2018 Once Justice Marshall’s court established its role interceding in a political dispute, the road to our current political fight over the courts was open. — WSJ, "The Senate Has Flexibility on Confirmations," 10 Oct. 2018 Advocates hope the courts intercede to save the dreamers. — James Hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Immigration failure shows the ideologues are ascendant in the Trump White House," 16 Feb. 2018 Prosecutors had alleged that Mr. Menendez helped secure visas for the foreign mistresses of his friend and supporter Dr. Salomon Melgen, and interceded with Medicare officials investigating his practice. — Julie Bykowicz, WSJ, "Down-Ballot Democrats Prop Up Menendez," 9 Oct. 2018 And the entire hearing was constantly interrupted by Democrats who kept interceding in the proceedings and making sure he, the witness did not have to speak. — Fox News, "Kavanaugh confirmation fight looms over midterm elections," 15 July 2018 Its attempts to intercede were unsuccessful, however, with China refusing a U.S. request for talks about the issue. — Trefor Moss, WSJ, "U.S. Airlines Meet Beijing Halfway on Describing Taiwan," 25 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intercede.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near intercede

intercartilaginous ossification

intercellular substance

Statistics for intercede

Last Updated

11 Jun 2019

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Time Traveler for intercede

The first known use of intercede was in 1597

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More Definitions for intercede

intercede

verb

English Language Learners Definition of intercede

formal : to try to help settle an argument or disagreement between two or more people or groups : to speak to someone in order to defend or help another person

See the full definition for intercede in the English Language Learners Dictionary

intercede

verb

in·ter·cede | \ ˌin-tər-ˈsēd

interceded; interceding

Kids Definition of intercede

1 : to try to help settle differences between unfriendly individuals or groups I interceded to stop the argument.

2 : to plead for the needs of someone else Atkins fell upon his knees to beg the captain to intercede with the governor for his life …— Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe