mediate 1 of 2

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

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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
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 Unlike human leaders, AI cannot interpret the moral weight of a policy decision, mediate conflict through emotional intelligence, or make judgment calls that require contextual sensitivity. Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
Gustafson has been in cases where dozens of such insurance firms have been mediating over when the pollution occurred, and which insurance policy was in force at the time. Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025 This summer alone, Acclivus mediated nearly 600 conflicts across 21 sites and large community events, according to Katrina Waddy, public education director for the organization. Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mediate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mediate
Adjective
  • Only two of Swift’s albums appear below the halfway mark on the 200-spot ranking.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • As Phoenix passes the halfway mark of this year’s monsoon, dramatic downpours, gusty haboobs and streaks of lightning across the sky have been mostly absent.
    Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The real skill is knowing when to intervene, when to let the system adapt and how to use this unpredictability to create better outcomes.
    Richie Etwaru, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Pasamanick — who said she was disappointed nobody intervened or tried to help during the attack — was left with bites and bruises on her leg, while Sparky also had bite marks, per WESH 2 and WLBT.
    Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The bullpen was taxed and the Royals were down a run in the middle frames.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
  • While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Some individuals were detained, and one of their family members tried to interfere and hit an officer, police said.
    Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
  • But the coach allegedly interfered in that meeting too.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Another is by supplying electronic components to Russian weapons via intermediary trade routes.
    Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
  • This allows consumers to transfer funds quickly without extra intermediary or exchange fees.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Anchoring the disparate variants of the LeBron 23 while serving as a containment system is a large panel shaped like James’ crown logo taking up the majority of the medial upper.
    Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
  • In fact, there’s a name for this: shin splints, or medial tibial stress syndrome in medical-speak.
    Jenny McCoy, SELF, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Forecasters watching the central and eastern North Pacific, and the Atlantic also noted that there was no tropical cyclone formation expected for the next seven days.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Deeper pitching concerns This has been the team’s central issue since July.
    Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Platte County, the second wealthiest county in Missouri, boasts many nice homes — the median home value being over $369,000.
    Madeline King, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Liberal and performing arts majors, for example, should think twice about borrowing hundreds of thousands in student loans if their median salary within five years of graduation is approximately $38,000.
    Brian Walsh, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mediate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mediate. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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