mediate 1 of 2

Definition of mediatenext
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mediate

2 of 2

verb

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

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 mediate
Adjective
The money covers a range of expenses, including staff that help homeless people find housing and mediate conflicts between new roommates. Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Aug. 2025 Transfer that to the modern workplace, and Type A employees are suited to leading projects and attacking problems quickly, while Type B workers can reduce panic, mediate conflict and suggest collaborative solutions. David Morel, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Verb
The United States has sought to mediate, holding meetings as recently as Sunday, though those talks ended without tangible results. CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026 Unlike social platforms or chatbots, Ami doesn’t mediate human connection. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mediate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mediate
Adjective
  • In the story, our devices become a gateway to another world — or, rather, a halfway point between our universe and the afterlife.
    Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
  • The halfway point in the season is already here for a few teams.
    Zach Harper, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • These are similar to a robotaxi, but with remote control capabilities, allowing for human operators to intervene if necessary.
    Laurie Winkless, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
  • At a Monday night news conference, Miami Gardens Police Chief Delma Noel-Pratt confirmed that the ongoing investigation shows security guards may have seen the suspect enter campus and follow the victim, but did not intervene.
    Anna McAllister, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Stenvik cancelled the annual all-district band concert, scheduled for last week, in which players from the elementary, middle, and high schools perform together on one stage.
    Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2026
  • The middle and ring fingers feature graphic candy hearts on a nude base, while the other fingers have a few coats of a shimmery bubblegum pink.
    Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • And all the while, our gutless politicians watch from the sidelines so as to not interfere and risk angering their party.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
  • The match ended in disqualification after Finn Balor interfered.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Gratifyingly, nothing about this adaptation has the air of an intermediary stop.
    Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
  • The newspaper said Qatari officials played an intermediary role in the discussions, citing Rodríguez’s close personal ties with Qatar’s ruling family.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • What remains unclear is how removing the medial ankle pivot will affect the boot’s flex pattern.
    Jenny Wiegand, Outside, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Black suede dresses the upper, with red used for the tongue’s Jumpman logo and medial window.
    Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The investigation ratcheted up an extraordinary clash between the nation's top central banker and the White House, which has urged the Fed to significantly reduce interest rates.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Place has come to be central in my conception of my second novel.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • His plan is for six townhouses to be leased at rates considered affordable for tenants earning just 60% of the area’s median income; another seven would be priced for people making up to 80% of that average.
    Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The complex will serve families who earn under 80% of area median income.
    Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mediate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mediate. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on mediate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!