Synonyms of intercede

intercede

verb

ˌin-tər-ˈsēd 

as in to intervene

to act as a go-between for opposing sides

asked an old friend of the family to intercede in the bitter dispute over the inheritance

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intervene
• interfere
• mediate
• intermediate
• interpose
• arbitrate
• meddle
• intrude
• negotiate
• pry
• break (in)
• moderate
• cut in
• invade
• obtrude
• snoop
• trespass
• butt in
• bother
• referee
• infringe
• chime in
• barge (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• avoid
• stand by
• ignore
• shun
• disregard
• overlook
• eschew

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of intercede are interfere, interpose, intervene, and mediate. While all these words mean "to come or go between," intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness.

interceded on our behalf

When could interfere be used to replace intercede?

While the synonyms interfere and intercede are close in meaning, interfere implies hindering.

noise interfered with my concentration

When is it sensible to use interpose instead of intercede?

While in some cases nearly identical to intercede, interpose often implies no more than this.

interposed herself between him and the door

When would intervene be a good substitute for intercede?

The meanings of intervene and intercede largely overlap; however, 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

When can mediate be used instead of intercede?

The words mediate and intercede are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mediate implies intervening between hostile factions.

mediated between the parties

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of intercede

Facebook brought one of the biggest tech scandals of the 2010s Stateside by allowing a British political consulting firm to intercede in the 2016 presidential election. —Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 17 Jan. 2025

Sophia interprets her father’s silence as a lack of love for her since her mother died, and her grandmother intercedes as a mediator only in the most discreet ways. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Oct. 2024

And there’s the reality that failure to do so can lead to activist investors interceding, as happened under Paul Polman when Kraft Heinz and Warren Buffet launched a takeover. —Robert G. Eccles, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024

Retailers are continuing to limit the staff who are authorized to intercede in the event of a theft. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019