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as in to interrupt
to cause a disruption in a conversation or discussion I hate to interpose, but could you tell me what you meant by that last remark?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word interpose different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of interpose are intercede, interfere, intervene, and mediate. While all these words mean "to come or go between," interpose often implies no more than this.

interposed herself between him and the door

When could intercede be used to replace interpose?

While in some cases nearly identical to interpose, intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness.

interceded on our behalf

When is it sensible to use interfere instead of interpose?

The words interfere and interpose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, interfere implies hindering.

noise interfered with my concentration

When would intervene be a good substitute for interpose?

The synonyms intervene and interpose are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Where would mediate be a reasonable alternative to interpose?

The meanings of mediate and interpose largely overlap; however, 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 interpose Other ads feature images of Harris and VP candidate Tim Walz interposed with post-apocalyptic scenes, and pictures of Walz and President Biden mashed up with images of prescription drugs spilling out of bottles. Emily Baker-White, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 Such a note, seemingly interposed at random, echoes Whitman and DeFeo. David L. Ulin, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2023 Just this past weekend, a top campaign staffer reshared a video with an image of DeSantis, a Nazi symbol interposed over the Florida flag, and soldiers on the march. Adrienne Mahsa Varkiani, The New Republic, 25 July 2023 These use a proton-conducting polymer membrane as the electrolyte interposed between the fuel and oxidizer to help shuttle electric charge within the fuel cell. IEEE Spectrum, 14 June 2023 Biden was taking a harder line with Putin, but when the two met earlier in the summer and Zelensky tried to interpose on the summit with dire warnings about the war, he was ignored. New York Times, 16 Jan. 2022 With a mask interposed close to the healthy hamsters (the equivalent of a healthy person wearing a mask), one-third were. The Economist, 28 May 2020 One clever way to avoid the restrictions of being at home, isolated — Kate and Aidy are both being interposed onto different grocery store setting backdrops. Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 26 Apr. 2020 The female-centric video showcases vintage footage of women interposed with kaleidoscopic effects and shots of the band singing in various costumes. Danielle Garrand, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interpose
Verb
  • Hank and Peggy have spent the intervening years in Saudi Arabia, where Hank worked for Saudi Aramco—a propane enthusiast’s dream—and the couple lived in a hyper-American, grassy-lawned subdivision surrounded by sand dunes.
    Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2025
  • Robeson put the problem of Black American oppression in the context of international relations and suggested that if the US government couldn’t stop lynchings, foreign nations should intervene to protect Black citizens.
    Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 1 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The latter interrupted the main event match, and that usually means all three men will wind up battling soon.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Jail detention officers are required to check inmates a minimum of twice an hour with gaps no longer than 40 minutes for many safety reasons, including discouraging and interrupting suicide attempts.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Cut a pocket into each chicken breast by inserting the tip of a chef’s knife in the thickest part of the breast and cutting a horizontal slit 3/4 of the way through the breast.
    Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 13 July 2025
  • Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • Russia attempted to interfere in the 2016 presidential election in favor of Trump, according to former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's 2019 final report and a 2020 bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee assessment.
    Sudiksha Kochi, USA Today, 25 July 2025
  • Nevertheless, the Obama administration ordered a new intelligence assessment claiming that Russia had interfered in the election to aid then-candidate Donald Trump.
    Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • While the duo filmed their scenes for the movie over the course of a month, there were a few days when one of the pair wasn’t working — and the generous parents didn’t miss out on the chance to bring baby Crew along to the set and even to introduce him to Sandler himself.
    Luke Chinman, People.com, 25 July 2025
  • And Lee and Kirby continued to crank out their stories, introducing characters as varied and memorable as the Black Panther, Dr. Doom, Nick Fury, and Thor.
    Oliver Staley, Time, 25 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Interpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interpose. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.

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