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

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