1
as in average
being about midway between extremes of amount or size
with a compact being too small and a van too large, we settled on an intermediate-sized sedan
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in halfway
occupying a position equally distant from the ends or extremes
although the party activists tend to back candidates with somewhat extreme views, ordinary voters generally prefer the intermediate aspirant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in intermediary
one who works with opposing sides in order to bring about an agreement
she often used her father as an intermediate in arguments with her mother
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to intervene
to act as a go-between for opposing sides
if the secretary-general chooses to intermediate in this dispute, he'll need all of his diplomatic skills just to get both sides in the same room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of intermediate
Brent Rose, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Feb. 2026
People who identified as early birds were 5% less likely to have poor heart health and habits compared with those in the intermediate group.
—Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
Heide Brandes, AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025
DyStar’s production plants consumed 70,760 tonnes of raw materials and intermediates in 2024.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 2 Sep. 2025
Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Their encounter would eventually lead to a conversation intermediated by a translator, an ad hoc animation critique, and, some years later, a job on Miyazaki’s 1997 classic Princess Mononoke, which has been remastered and re-released in Imax for the first time this week.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intermediate
Adjective
Despite that, the level of terrain is well-balanced, with 30% beginner, 40% intermediate, and 30% advanced/expert spread out over 2,500 acres and 3,550 feet of vertical drop.
—Brent Rose, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Feb. 2026
People who identified as early birds were 5% less likely to have poor heart health and habits compared with those in the intermediate group.
—Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
After becoming more comfortable, intermediates often connect with local caving clubs through the National Speleological Society for deeper exploration.
—Heide Brandes, AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025
DyStar’s production plants consumed 70,760 tonnes of raw materials and intermediates in 2024.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
Platforms that intermediate these interactions will face pressure to define where responsibility sits and how transparency is enforced.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Their encounter would eventually lead to a conversation intermediated by a translator, an ad hoc animation critique, and, some years later, a job on Miyazaki’s 1997 classic Princess Mononoke, which has been remastered and re-released in Imax for the first time this week.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intermediate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intermediate
Adjective
-
Observations of transits of Venus, which only occur twice per century, on average (most recently in 2012), were humanity’s first indication that Venus possessed — whereas Mercury lacked — a substantial atmosphere.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The average transaction price (ATP) on a new vehicle hit $50,000 for the first time ever last fall, according to Kelley Blue Book.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In the story, our devices become a gateway to another world — or, rather, a halfway point between our universe and the afterlife.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The halfway point in the season is already here for a few teams.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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After all, pharmacy benefit managers — which are the intermediaries between drug manufacturers and patients — collect a big chunk of every dollar spent on medicine without offering much value.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Conversations were taking place late on Wednesday night, January 21, with mutual intermediaries working out potential parameters.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
These are similar to a robotaxi, but with remote control capabilities, allowing for human operators to intervene if necessary.—
Laurie Winkless,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
At a Monday night news conference, Miami Gardens Police Chief Delma Noel-Pratt confirmed that the ongoing investigation shows security guards may have seen the suspect enter campus and follow the victim, but did not intervene.—
Anna McAllister,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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That means people who previously rented affordable housing — and who make close to the area’s median income — can more easily make the jump from subsidized apartments to market-rate homes.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
6 Feb. 2026
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Another recent Statesman analysis also found that some first responders earn far higher incomes by working long overtime hours, possibly driving up the median salaries for their respective agencies.—
Austin Sanders,
Austin American Statesman,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And the truth is obviously somewhere in the middle, right?—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Kayley finished first among the pool of middle and high school contestants in Peters’ 50th Congressional District, which includes La Jolla.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
An independent mediator, the nurses unions and Kaiser were all scheduled to be back at the negotiation table for a new labor contract.—
Pat Maio,
Oc Register,
26 Jan. 2026
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With continued support of mediators, nurses plan on bargaining daily to settle fair contracts that protect patient and nurse safety.—
Tim McNicholas,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And all the while, our gutless politicians watch from the sidelines so as to not interfere and risk angering their party.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The match ended in disqualification after Finn Balor interfered.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Intermediate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intermediate. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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