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

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 intervene If Tuesday’s incident at the medical center had actually been an enforcement action, UCLA Police could not have intervened. Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2025 In acquiring such a capability, Pakistan might be seeking to deter the United States from either trying to eliminate its arsenal in a preventive attack or intervening on India’s behalf in a future Indian-Pakistani conflict. Vipin Narang, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025 The strength of a rumor is directly proportionate to the number of intervening years). Sally Ventura june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025 But the justices declined to intervene in the case. Ella Lee, The Hill, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for intervene
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intervene
Verb
  • Any hint that Iran might interfere there—for example, with drone activity, military drills, or even underwater mines—sends traders scrambling.
    Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
  • Cid also said that Bolsonaro refused to interfere regarding camps by supporters that were set up in front of army facilities calling for a military intervention after the then-president lost the election.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • As far as disputes are concerned, the technology that has increasingly been used to intercede is blockchain.
    Saro McKenna, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • The attack comes as Israel and Iran enter their seventh day of tit-for-tat strikes in the wake of the Israeli military’s initial blow to Tehran’s nuclear capabilities and as President Trump and his administration weigh whether the U.S. should intercede.
    Tara Suter, The Hill, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, which have been mediated at times by the U.S., have been largely fruitless outside of prisoner exchanges.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 21 June 2025
  • What To Know The Trump administration was invited by DRC President Félix Tshisekedi to help mediate an end to the conflict in eastern Congo between government forces and rebels allegedly backed by Rwanda.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Intervene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intervene. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on intervene

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