intercepts

Definition of interceptsnext
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

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 intercepts 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 The Earth constantly intercepts about 166,000 Terawatts of power from the Sun. Adam Frank, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026 Luke Davis intercepts a long pass at the Vandegrift 26 as the Vipers produce their third turnover. Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 6 Dec. 2025 Everyone intercepts Marie on her way to find Thomas Godolkin, and Annabeth warns her about the premonition. Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intercepts
Verb
  • Kurt's key takeaways The skating is what grabs you first.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
  • This evergreen, perennial vine grabs the attention of those looking for an ornamental groundcover.
    SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • First, Detroit has centers ahead of him in Larkin, Copp and potentially Kasper next season, with Nate Danielson on the way as well, which either complicates Compher’s path to high-lineup playing time or blocks one of the young players.
    Max Bultman, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • That put the company strategically on track to potentially go public in the final quarter of 2026—following an $852 billion valuation—unless Musk’s lawsuit blocks the move.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The framing captures the intensity of the city but also its evasiveness—these cars are neither here nor there but on their way somewhere else, underscoring Hong Kong’s historical identity as a transit hub, an entrepôt, a place intended for people to pass through, not to stay in.
    Pauline J. Yao, Artforum, 2 May 2026
  • Moving quickly captures these early returns and will be important for developing institutional muscle from which other industries can eventually learn.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • In Bend, Oregon, Outdoor Adventure Belongs to Everyone On a visit to this adventure magnet, Sophie Morgan goes for a trek in the high desert in an off-roading wheelchair and catches an outdoor concert, washed down, of course, with a few pints of local craft beer.
    Hannah Wallace, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Curtis just didn’t show much as a pass catcher in college (13 catches for 167 yards and two touchdowns in 2025).
    Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Intercepts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intercepts. Accessed 4 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on intercepts

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster