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 The city office houses programs that are meant to do things like intervene in conflicts, prevent retaliatory violence following incidents and collaborate with other non-city programming in the city to offer resources. David Clarey, jsonline.com, 17 July 2025 But fate intervened when Suri encountered Yash Raj Films‘ creative producer Sumana Ghosh. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 July 2025 For the most serious, IDPH found that the facility failed to prevent unintended removals of ventilators and tracheostomy tubes, which help patients breathe, and failed to properly intervene for low blood sugar, ultimately leading to a patient’s death. Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2025 The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the injunction, but now the Supreme Court will have an opportunity to intervene. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for intervene
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intervene
Verb
  • Analysts also see Trump’s attempt to interfere in the country’s domestic affairs as a potential backfire for Bolsonaro during his trial and a push for Lula, whose reelection bid was facing unpopularity headwinds this year.
    Mauricio Savarese, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025
  • May's character was completely devoted to Storm, often interfering in her matches and mimicking her every move.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • He is said to have interceded in healing the sick — both before and after his death in 1957.
    Kristen Jordan Shamus, Freep.com, 3 July 2025
  • Prince William and Kate Middleton have had to contend with divorce rumors, and then reconciliation rumors, and then reports that Middleton was trying to intercede in the relationship between her husband and Prince Harry.
    Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • With the help of third parties mediating and collaboration from all sides, a resolution was reached on Monday, and the move announced on Friday.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • In September 2023, Azerbaijani forces launched a lightning blitz to retake remaining portions, forcing Karabakh’s Armenian authorities to capitulate in negotiations mediated by Russian forces.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Intervene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intervene. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on intervene

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