Synonyms of intervene

intervene

verb

ˌin-tər-ˈvēn 

as in to interfere

to act as a go-between for opposing sides

intervened in the argument before any real harm was done

Synonyms & Similar Words

• interfere
• intercede
• mediate
• intermediate
• interpose
• negotiate
• meddle
• arbitrate
• intrude
• pry
• invade
• moderate
• referee
• break (in)
• cut in
• obtrude
• trespass
• bother
• butt in
• snoop
• infringe
• chime in
• barge (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• avoid
• stand by
• ignore
• shun
• disregard
• overlook
• eschew

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of intervene are intercede, interfere, interpose, and mediate. While all these words mean "to come or go between," 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

When might intercede be a better fit than intervene?

While the synonyms intercede and intervene are close in meaning, intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness.

interceded on our behalf

When is interfere a more appropriate choice than intervene?

The synonyms interfere and intervene are sometimes interchangeable, but interfere implies hindering.

noise interfered with my concentration

In what contexts can interpose take the place of intervene?

The meanings of interpose and intervene largely overlap; however, interpose often implies no more than this.

interposed herself between him and the door

When can mediate be used instead of intervene?

The words mediate and intervene can be used in similar contexts, but mediate implies intervening between hostile factions.

mediated between the parties

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of intervene

Following the attack on him and his wife, Guzman’s father appealed to the county board of mental health to intervene in his daughter’s care, according to local news reports from 2024. —Selina Guevara, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026

The penalty wasn’t initially called, but Video Assistant Referee intervened and overturned it. —Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026

The board’s responsibilities were diminished in 2017, after news reports revealed questionable financial practices and an audit found board members inappropriately intervened in the agency’s daily operations. —Sacbee.com, 17 Apr. 2026

But that timeline left some five million intervening years unaccounted for—where did the river run, if not along its current course? —Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2026