interference

noun

ˌin-tər-ˈfir-ən(t)s How to pronounce interference (audio)
Definition of interferencenext
as in obstacle
something that makes movement or progress difficult without the interference of the rain, we could have made good time on that road trip

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 interference The challenge is ensuring that engagement protects higher education rather than normalizes political interference in it. — Marybeth Gasman, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 The Perseids are extra special this year because there’s no moonlight interference in the early morning hours, leaving us with dark skies. — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 9 Aug. 2026 In the secondary, senior cornerback Kalen Carroll was flagged multiple times for defensive pass interference. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Aug. 2026 The findings from the 2017 eclipse suggested another explanation, known as the diffraction-interference, might be responsible for shadow bands. — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for interference
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interference
  1. obstacle
  2. obstruction
  3. hurdle
  4. embarrassment
  5. barrier
Noun
  • For many commercial fleets, access to fueling has remained one of the biggest obstacles to adopting natural gas vehicles.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Unlike Lake Michigan, debris and garbage settle along the riverbed and near the banks, forcing divers to search through sediment and obstacles while currents continue to move beneath the surface.
    — Darius Johnson, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of obstacle
Noun
  • Tracey was arrested days after the incident and charged with endangering the welfare of a child, simple assault, harassment and obstruction.
    — Adam Sabes , Preston Mizell, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Her husband, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, is charged separately with conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction.
    — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of obstruction
Noun
  • Prosecutors will have to overcome a few key hurdles in their case.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • With so many advancements underway, the biggest hurdle may be the federal Nuclear Waste Policy Act, which essentially bars any permanent nuclear waste disposal licensing outside of Yucca Mountain, a project that is now, again, essentially defunct.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of hurdle
Noun
  • For the Indian government, the scandal was seen by some a political embarrassment, triggering protests by the opposition.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Amy Edmondson’s work on psychological safety has helped leaders understand why employees need to be able to raise concerns, admit mistakes, and ask questions without fear of punishment or embarrassment.
    — Brian Eason, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of embarrassment
Noun
  • Although most of the migrants have since gone back, more than 80 migrants died, including some who drowned or were trampled in a stampede to cross a breakwater barrier, according to Spanish and Moroccan authorities.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Financing, along with bureaucratic hurdles the city has attempted to address, are often the largest barriers for developments like the Stockton Boulevard hotel, said Councilmember Caity Maple.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of barrier

Browse Nearby Words

interfered (with)
interference
interferences
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Interference.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interference. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on interference

Nglish: Translation of interference for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about interference

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of salvo

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All