Definition of interposenext
1
2
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

3

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 Language, being a product of rationality, lacks the capacity to interpose itself. — Rachel Cusk, New Yorker, 13 June 2026 Peasant growers’ resistance to these operations fueled the Shining Path insurgency by providing recruits and creating an opening for the guerrillas to interpose themselves between the farmers and the police. — Michelle D. Paranzino, The Conversation, 11 June 2026 Would the court have come out the same way, or would suddenly interposing a third-party sale have changed their analysis? — Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 9 June 2026 An electrolyte—commonly a polymer or ceramic—interposed between the fuel and oxidizer helps shuttle ions within the fuel cell. — IEEE Spectrum, 16 May 2016 See All Example Sentences for interpose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interpose
Verb
  • The judges pressed federal lawyers on whether the request violates states’ constitutional authority over elections and whether the appeals court can intervene before a lower-court ruling.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes ended up intervening, the story says.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Adif said in a post on X on Wednesday morning that traffic on the Madrid to Andalucía high-speed line had been interrupted due to a collision between two trains.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Strong building codes, effective enforcement, stronger roofs, protected openings and sound roof-to-wall connections can interrupt the expensive cycle of destruction and reconstruction.
    — Kevin M. McCarty, Sun Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Days later, Biden took the unusual step of inserting himself into state politics and publicly backed the bill.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The Inlexzo device goes in a small tube that's inserted through the urethra.
    — Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro also warned Canada last month against interfering in the midterms.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Experts worry federal law enforcement could potentially use those false claims — or others generated this year — as pretext to try to seize ballots during the counting period, or interfere in the process in some other way.
    — Miles Parks, NPR, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Even the afternoon’s custom table runners, made from archival fabric by FIT Menswear students, nodded to the designer’s signature ikat print, first introduced in 1983.
    — Ariel Bielsky, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The first in the ACOTAR series, the romantasy novel introduces us to Feyre Archeron, a human woman who agrees to go live in the fairie realm of Prythian in order to save her family.
    — Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Interpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interpose. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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