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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mediate

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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 initial accords, which were mediated by the US, were signed on 15 September 2020. Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 15 May 2026 That framework includes the new Board of Trade, which would mediate trade disputes between the countries. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for mediate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mediate
Adjective
  • The bottom line With $25,000 in play, a high-yield savings account will outpace a short-term CD over three and nine months, while the 6-month CD pulls slightly ahead at the halfway mark.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 15 May 2026
  • Their record at the playoffs' halfway point disagrees.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • This is Carolina’s fourth appearance in the Eastern Conference final across the past eight years, but in the intervening seven drafts during that run, the Hurricanes have still made an astounding 67 draft selections.
    Thomas Drance, New York Times, 25 May 2026
  • The show briefly paused when Tech intervened in what appeared to be an altercation in the front row between two women.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 May 2026
Adjective
  • Although eldest sister Alyssa, 21, has already played in a World Cup and middle sister Gisele made 38 NWSL appearances and played four times for the national team before her 20th birthday, Zoe may actually be the best of the three.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
  • In higher-cost areas, affordability requirements could lead to no middle housing being built at all, Vance said.
    Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 30 May 2026
Verb
  • Ripley went for the Riptide, but Cargill interfered.
    Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
  • She was sentenced — correctly — for interfering in an election in her county and for allowing unauthorized access to the voting equipment, not for expressing her personal opinion.
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 20 May 2026
Adjective
  • When that proportion of future buyers is consulting an intermediary leadership that teams have never met, the question of what that intermediary says is a question of commercial governance.
    Anisha Chawla, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
  • Meanwhile, cheaper intermediary goods from China helped boost manufacturing productivity, resulting in a 50% increase in real manufacturing value added from 2001 to 2024.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 10 May 2026
Adjective
  • Thick rope laces and leather sockliners further separate the pairs from standard Air Force 1s, while custom Oregon embroidery appears on both the lateral and medial sides.
    Riley Jones, Footwear News, 17 May 2026
  • Arsenal manager Arteta has previously stated the issue was more complicated than first expected, but with Ben White out for the season with a medial ligament injury, the need for options at right-back increases.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 14 May 2026
Adjective
  • Start at one of the 11 unique stand-alone bungalows at Bahia Vik—with two or three bedrooms each and filled with site-specific art—or one of 10 suites in the central building.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026
  • Patience and even guarantees, features that are often central to preventing the outbreak of conflict, had no place in such a scenario.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
Adjective
  • And while the report shows that Miami’s overall median rent is dropping, Zumper’s data for some Miami-Dade neighborhoods and municipalities shows the opposite trend.
    Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026
  • Black women are diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger median age (60, compared with 62 for white women) and are 38% more likely to die from the disease.
    Ayren Jackson-Cannady, SELF, 29 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mediate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mediate. Accessed 31 May. 2026.

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