as in grabbing
to stop, seize, or interrupt while in progress or on course
the cat was about to hightail it out the front door when I intercepted her
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 intercepting
Both played well in the postseason, too, with Durant intercepting three passes and breaking up seven more and Curl making a big impact in the divisional victory over the Chicago Bears, not least of all with an overtime interception.
—
Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
Although Ukraine's Air Force reported intercepting 27 missiles and 315 drones out of 342 projectiles, the mega-strike, which targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, left half of Kyiv without electricity amid bitter cold.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Only 42 seconds after Will Cuylle’s goal for New York, Fiala scored his 18th goal by intercepting an unwise pass by former Kings teammate Vladislav Gavrikov.
—Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Only 42 seconds after Will Cuylle's goal for New York, Fiala scored his 18th goal by intercepting an unwise pass by former Kings teammate Vladislav Gavrikov.
—CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Curl did the honors for the Rams’ defense, intercepting Caleb Williams on the Bears’ only possession of overtime.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2026
The rookie came away with two takeaways, intercepting Stroud and hopping on a fumble caused by Gonzalez.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2026
By capturing that waste, processing it into biogas, and burning it in ship engines, Havila is intercepting emissions that would have occurred regardless.
—Ryan Craggs, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2026
There was also a punt-blocking Isaiah Simmons, an intercepting Mike Jackson, and a swell of 73,000-plus standing souls, washing the stadium in noise and blue and joy.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
Although Ukraine's Air Force reported intercepting 27 missiles and 315 drones out of 342 projectiles, the mega-strike, which targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, left half of Kyiv without electricity amid bitter cold.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Only 42 seconds after Will Cuylle’s goal for New York, Fiala scored his 18th goal by intercepting an unwise pass by former Kings teammate Vladislav Gavrikov.
—Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
Only 42 seconds after Will Cuylle's goal for New York, Fiala scored his 18th goal by intercepting an unwise pass by former Kings teammate Vladislav Gavrikov.
—CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
Curl did the honors for the Rams’ defense, intercepting Caleb Williams on the Bears’ only possession of overtime.
—The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2026
The rookie came away with two takeaways, intercepting Stroud and hopping on a fumble caused by Gonzalez.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 18 Jan. 2026
By capturing that waste, processing it into biogas, and burning it in ship engines, Havila is intercepting emissions that would have occurred regardless.
—Ryan Craggs, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2026
There was also a punt-blocking Isaiah Simmons, an intercepting Mike Jackson, and a swell of 73,000-plus standing souls, washing the stadium in noise and blue and joy.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intercepting
Verb
-
Thomas then appeared to quickly lunge at Leon, swiftly grabbing and lifting him up before body slamming the suspect to the ground.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
SpaceX was also famously involved in funding and operating the headline-grabbing Polaris Dawn crewed commercial mission in September 2024.—
Eric Lagatta,
AZCentral.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Thousands of protesters met in front of City Hall in the afternoon, before many marched to the federal detention center, where a mob of violent agitators swarmed the area, pushing a large construction dumpster and blocking the entrance to the building's loading dock.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Much of the group later dispersed after they were threatened with arrest by local law enforcement for blocking the road.—
KIMBERLEE KRUESI,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
These photos document the people, places, and events that defined Austin in January — capturing moments of protest, resilience, competition, and community during a month of extremes.—
Ricardo B. Brazziell,
Austin American Statesman,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns has been capturing the past for nearly 50 years and chronicling some of the most significant events in American history, from the Civil War to the origins of baseball.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Many eventually settled in North Beach, or Little Italy, and wound up catching salmon in the summer and crab in the winter.—
Becky Duffett,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Laferriere tied the score just over two minutes later by taking Perry’s pass from behind the net and catching Hofer off the left post.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
25 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Intercepting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intercepting. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
