interfere

1 of 2

verb

in·​ter·​fere ˌin-tər-ˈfir 

ˌin-tə-

interfered; interfering

intransitive verb

1

: to enter into or take a part in the concerns of others

2

: to interpose in a way that hinders or impedes : come into collision or be in opposition

3

: to strike one foot against the opposite foot or ankle in walking or running

—used especially of horses

4

: to act reciprocally so as to augment, diminish, or otherwise affect one another

—used of waves

interferer noun

interferer

2 of 2

noun

in·​ter·​fer·​er

R ˌintə(r)ˈfirər, 

−R -təˈfirə(r

plural -s

: one that interferes

Synonyms of interfere

Verb

• mess
• snoop
• intervene
• poke
• meddle
• intrude

Choose the Right Synonym for interfere

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 interfere in a Sentence

Verb

I tried to offer advice without interfering.

a strong resentment of outsiders who attempted to interfere with their traditional ways of doing things

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The question asked by the team was how to bring a wave packet that has fallen back into contact with the one that stayed behind—the same atom on the other path—so that the two can interfere. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026

Sweden's Psychological Defense Agency said that the country's election isn't Russia's top priority, as that broad support reduces the incentive for Moscow to interfere. — ABC News, 11 Sep. 2026

When a magnetic field is applied to these wires, electron waves passing through different paths interfere, producing Aharonov-Bohm (AB) oscillations. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026

But if the plan was to let sleeping dogs lie, Bartiromo interfered by passing along the internal guidance. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English enterferen, from Anglo-French (s')entreferir to strike one another, from entre- inter- + ferir to strike, from Latin ferire — more at bore

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing interfere

• interfere with

Rhymes for interfere

• auctioneer
• bandelier
• belvedere
• bombardier
• brigadier
• buccaneer
• cavalier
• chandelier
• chanticleer
• chevalier
• commandeer
• disappear

Kids Definition

interfere

verb

in·​ter·​fere ˌint-ə(r)-ˈfi(ə)r 

interfered; interfering

1

: to come in collision or be in opposition : clash

his arrival interfered with our plans

2

: to take part in the concerns of others

don't interfere with our negotiations

3

: to act on one another

interfering light waves

interferer noun

Medical Definition

interfere

intransitive verb

in·​ter·​fere ˌint-ə(r)-ˈfi(ə)r 

interfered; interfering

1

: to strike one foot against the opposite foot or ankle in walking or running

—used especially of horses

2

: to act reciprocally so as to augment, diminish, or otherwise affect one another

—used of waves

3

: to be inconsistent with and disturb the performance of previously learned behavior

Legal Definition

interfere

intransitive verb

in·​ter·​fere

interfered; interfering

1

: to act in a way that impedes or obstructs others

2

: to enter into the concerns of others