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

As Clare Malone reported for The New Yorker, Woodward beseeched Bezos to intercede. —Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026

Perhaps owner Bob Nutting will intercede and order general manager Ben Cherington to sign McCutchen, fearing yet another public relations nightmare if the team’s relationship with a franchise legend collapses. —Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026

Machado met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Monday, where Machado asked him to intercede for the release of hundreds of political prisoners held in the Latin American country, according to The Associated Press. —Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026

As is apparently standard procedure in such situations, the workers put down their tools until a medium interceded with the appropriate offerings. —Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025