Synonym Chooser

How is the word interfere different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of interfere are intercede, interpose, intervene, and mediate. While all these words mean "to come or go between," interfere implies hindering.

noise interfered with my concentration

When is intercede a more appropriate choice than interfere?

The words intercede and interfere can be used in similar contexts, but intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness.

interceded on our behalf

When can interpose be used instead of interfere?

The meanings of interpose and interfere largely overlap; however, interpose often implies no more than this.

interposed herself between him and the door

Where would intervene be a reasonable alternative to interfere?

While the synonyms intervene and interfere are close in meaning, 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

In what contexts can mediate take the place of interfere?

While in some cases nearly identical to interfere, mediate implies intervening between hostile factions.

mediated between the parties

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of interfere The courts should not have the authority to interfere, Sampat said. Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 21 June 2025 The church asks the court to declare and recognize its legal right to grow and use sacred plants, including marijuana, for religious reasons without the government interfering. Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2025 Any hint that Iran might interfere there—for example, with drone activity, military drills, or even underwater mines—sends traders scrambling. Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025 Cid also said that Bolsonaro refused to interfere regarding camps by supporters that were set up in front of army facilities calling for a military intervention after the then-president lost the election. Arkansas Online, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for interfere
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interfere
Verb
  • But the bone-dry cabin air and the altitude can really mess things up.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 17 June 2025
  • Trim overhanging limbs and relocate furniture to avoid popular bird perches that drop messes onto your patio.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • Those drones have been flying without authorities first getting a warrant and Schmitz is not the only resident who has been snooped on.
    Andrew Wimer, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • However, law enforcement is not above snooping on cell phones, and their tactics are usually much harder to detect.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • On June 7, four national coaching associations, including the USTFCCCA, issued a joint statement pleading for clarification around Title IX protections and student-athlete employment classification, calling for Congress to intervene.
    Cory Mull, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • To achieve denial against a peer adversary like China, the United States may need to clearly signal a readiness to intervene, in what would be a test of the American public's appetite for more war.
    John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Progress with Canada has been a roller coaster, with the U.S. president poking at the nation’s northern neighbor and repeatedly suggesting it would be absorbed as a U.S. state.
    Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
  • Johnson immediately returned to social media Wednesday night to post a series of rambling videos discussing his arrest and seemingly poking at Rogan without addressing him directly.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • He was not elected to be yet another interventionist president meddling in the affairs of nations across the planet.
    The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 17 June 2025
  • Canada's intelligence service had also identified India as one of the countries that could attempt to meddle in Candian elections.
    Danish Manzoor Bhat, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • The contestants deal with rough seas, strong currents, jellyfish and sundry venomous creatures, intruding fishermen, limited air, sinus crises, variable visibility and unexpected orcas.
    Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025
  • In response, China's Foreign Ministry accused the Australian aircraft of intruding into Chinese airspace.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Interfere.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interfere. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on interfere

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