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

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 intercede Some accounts of enslaved life recall people crying into pots in despair, which may have been a way of asking the pot’s spirit to intercede: to plead to God on the weeper’s behalf. Danielle Amir Jackson, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2025 After the news surfaced, Erika Hilton, a trans Brazilian politician, urged the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to intercede on behalf of Barbosa, fearing for her safety and calling the arrest suspicious and violent, according to a translation. Mikelle Street, Them., 26 Aug. 2025 But kismet interceded when Diplo found himself in the studio with Teddy Park, who’s written dozens of hits for K-Pop acts including 2NE1 and BigBang, and who is the creative director and lead producer for BLACKPINK. Katie Bain, Billboard, 23 July 2025 The Virgin Mary believed to be born without sin, is said to intercede for those who turn to her for help. Jailynn Taylor, Essence, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for intercede
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intercede
Verb
  • Weekend drill and training events may be postponed if federal funds are frozen, although state governments sometimes intervene to keep critical missions running.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
  • In those intervening 35 years, China had moved 800 million rural peasants — living in extreme poverty on US$2 a day — into city apartments and integrated them into the global economy.
    Peter Leyden, Big Think, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Fiscal rules left broken Officials in Brussels are unlikely to want to appear to be interfering in domestic political affairs, but the pressure is on for Paris to embark on some serious fiscal consolidation — and fast.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Piastri lost two places in the scuffle, revealing his frustration on the team radio and inquiring if McLaren would interfere by potentially asking Norris to hand back the place to him.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Intercede.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intercede. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on intercede

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