intercepts

present tense third-person singular of intercept
as in grabs
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

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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 intercepts Russia intercepts most Ukrainian long-range drones but some have evaded Russian air defenses. Joanna Kakissis, NPR, 27 June 2026 However, Azula intercepts the group and duels Aang and Katara with Zuko, who nearly had a change of heart after opening up to Katara. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 25 June 2026 Advertisement Breaking down the fight and its outcome When Sam intercepts them, Adam steps in to confront him, attempting to create time for Rosie and Grace to escape. Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 21 Apr. 2026 The process intercepts industrial carbon emissions before they are released into the atmosphere and converts them into recycled fibers. Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 17 Apr. 2026 Kagan and his colleagues showed that within minutes, neurons on microchips could learn to play Pong, the classic video game in which a player repeatedly intercepts a ball—think two-dimensional ping-pong. Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2026 The main street that intercepts the end of my block is tree-lined and buzzing, with generous sidewalks, gleaming (and respected) crosswalks, and wide windowscapes just begging to be strolled and observed. Claire Salinda, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026 The following month, Iran fires nearly 200 missiles at Israel, which intercepts most of them but promises retaliation. Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 1 Mar. 2026 In a sleepy town, a switchboard operator and a radio DJ investigate a strange audio signal that intercepts the latter’s broadcast. Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intercepts
Verb
  • For kids, anger often shows up when something doesn’t go their way—like when a playmate grabs their toy.
    Jenna Autuori-Dedic, Parents, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Timothy Olyphant grabs a drink ahead of his appearance on Late Night with Seth Myers on July 30.
    People Staff, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • There is no statewide law banning dogs from riding in a vehicle, but an unrestrained pet that blocks your view or climbs into your lap can lead to a reckless driving citation.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Solar eclipse watchers have for centuries vividly described an eerie phenomenon known as shadow bands that appears just before and after totality — the period when the moon completely blocks the sun’s light and the sky goes dark.
    Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • To work around this biological limit, a team from the Beijing Institute of Technology built a system that captures infrared light and converts it into electrical charges.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Working with a Master Fitter, golfers hit a series of putts using a variety of putter styles while a TrackMan launch monitor captures key performance data.
    Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Cavatappi’s corkscrew shape catches every bite of the creamy sauce, but elbow macaroni or small shells work just as well.
    Inés Anguiano, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Payer rules get hand-coded, while clinical edge cases get patched one at a time, usually after someone downstream catches the mistake.
    Fawad Butt, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Intercepts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intercepts. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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