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

When Yeon-joo intervenes and saves him from an assassin, the two are thrust into a high-stakes, emotional journey. —Veronica Villafañe, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025

Teammates eventually intervened but not before Jenkins and Legette were each ejected from the contest. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Aug. 2025

The company has been operating the cars with a valet, or human safety supervisor in the front passenger seat tasked with intervening if there are issues with the ride. —Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 8 Aug. 2025

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