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 The Golden Power legislation enables the Italian government to intercede or set conditions on foreign and domestic corporate takeovers in key sectors, including banking. Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 23 May 2025 As far as disputes are concerned, the technology that has increasingly been used to intercede is blockchain. Saro McKenna, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025 The attack comes as Israel and Iran enter their seventh day of tit-for-tat strikes in the wake of the Israeli military’s initial blow to Tehran’s nuclear capabilities and as President Trump and his administration weigh whether the U.S. should intercede. Tara Suter, The Hill, 19 June 2025 City officials, a judge and even police have been forced to intercede after residents who say the self-driving cars are a nuisance have banded together against the local 56-vehicle fleet. Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for intercede
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intercede
Verb
  • Even the area where a former DOGE staffer was assaulted while intervening in an unarmed carjacking - an example of violent crime in the city highlighted by the White House - was quiet with little law enforcement presence.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Just as the alien is about to pounce on Hermit, Morrow intervenes and electrifies the creature.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Robert Mueller, who ultimately took over the probe as special counsel, concluded that the Russian government interfered to help then-presidential candidate Donald Trump defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, but that there was not evidence anyone in the Trump campaign colluded with Russia.
    Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Sky positioned herself for an Over the Moonsault, but Ripley interfered, Naomi kicked Ripley off the top rope and hit a split-legged Moonsault.
    Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Intercede.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intercede. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on intercede

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