Synonyms of mediate

mediate 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmē-dē-ət 

as in halfway

occupying a position equally distant from the ends or extremes

has a black-and-white view of human nature, believing that there is no mediate state between good and evil

Synonyms & Similar Words

• halfway
• middle
• intermediary
• medial
• central
• median
• intermediate
• mid
• medium
• midmost
• equidistant
• nearest
• inner
• innermost
• in-between
• borderline
• grey
• inmost
• gray
• betwixt and between

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• extreme
• farthest
• utmost
• remotest
• outermost
• furthest
• outer
• peripheral
• furthermost
• farthermost
• outmost

mediate

2 of 2

verb

ˈmē-dē-ˌāt 

as in to intervene

to act as a go-between for opposing sides

their middle child is often asked to mediate between the oldest and the youngest

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

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

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

mediated between the parties

When could intercede be used to replace mediate?

The words intercede and mediate can be used in similar contexts, but intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness.

interceded on our behalf

When would interfere be a good substitute for mediate?

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

noise interfered with my concentration

When is it sensible to use interpose instead of mediate?

Although the words interpose and mediate have much in common, interpose often implies no more than this.

interposed herself between him and the door

When can intervene be used instead of mediate?

While the synonyms intervene and mediate are close in meaning, 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of mediate

Adjective

Limited animal and human studies suggest that brain regions (e.g., insula, anterior cingulated [ACC], orbitofrontal [OFC]) and neurotransmitters (dopamine) that mediate substance dependence may also be involved with love addiction (as for PG). —Discover Magazine, 27 July 2010

To this day, the United States sits at the center of many of the international institutions that govern the global commons, mediate disputes, and facilitate free trade. —Ryan Hass, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023

Verb

Chimney Cam: Conclave Votes to Elect New Pope Vatican Alters Birth Records for Two African Cardinals Ahead of Conclave Parolin has been praised for his diplomatic work, including mediating between the United States and Cuba. —James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025

Just a day later, a three-judge appellate court panel ruled that the judge had overstepped, finding that the dispute over Voice of America should be mediated through labor and employment administrative processes before they are taken to the courts. —David Folkenflik, NPR, 7 May 2025