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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
Thursday’s negotiations were mediated by Polis’ staff and representatives from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026 Discussions on Thursday were mediated by Polis' team and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mediate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mediate
Adjective
  • The most famous is the 16th-century Rialto Bridge, which sits roughly at the halfway point and is considered a remarkable architectural and engineering achievement of the Renaissance period.
    Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The fifth and final season of Prime Video’s superhero satire series, The Boys, is nearing the halfway point this week.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Congress could intervene, Flanagan says, but is unlikely to do so as long as both chambers are controlled by Republicans.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 4 May 2026
  • The court intervened after the Food and Drug Administration was ordered on May 1 to revive a requirement that doctors prescribe the drug only after an in-person exam.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 4 May 2026
Adjective
  • Much of that discussion is on middle and high school grades, where the effects are most visible, but the real issue begins much earlier.
    Tina Dello Russo, Boston Herald, 10 May 2026
  • Cryst, a 6-foot-10 freshman middle blocker, started off the fourth set with back-to-back service aces.
    Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • This act interferes greatly with local departments of planning and development for erroneous climate protocols enacted by Ronald Regan.
    Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
  • First, my office drafted an enforceable ordinance that does not interfere in any way with the legitimate interests of the federal government in enforcing immigration laws constitutionally.
    Teresa Liu, Daily News, 4 May 2026
Adjective
  • In one example disclosed by Xinhua, a consumer paid 252 yuan ($35) for a six-inch cake, but the order was quietly resold through an intermediary platform where vendors bid 100, 90 and 80 yuan to fulfill it, with the lowest bidder winning.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
  • There are 12 specific grind settings, plus intermediary settings between them.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Team members celebrate next to winning robot Lightning during a medial ceremony after the second Beijing E-Town Half Marathon and Humanoid Robot Half Marathon in Beijing, China, April 19, 2026.
    Simon Ellery, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
  • As the Transit officers descended down to the 4/5/6 platform, one of Griffin’s victims came staggering up the stairs, seeking medial attention, Tisch said.
    Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The fifth commission for the plinth on the High Line elevated park is an homage to the Buddhas of Bamiyan, the pair of 6th-century colossi in central Afghanistan that the Taliban blew up in 2001.
    Benjamin Sutton, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
  • In an industry where the typical sample is a size zero, weight has always been central to a model’s success.
    Rory Satran, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • High prices and financial strain The median home price in Colorado is about $604,300, well above the national average.
    Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 9 May 2026
  • In fact, last year the median sales price of an existing home ($441,500) surpassed that of a new home ($401,800).
    Mark Dent, HubSpot, 8 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mediate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mediate. Accessed 11 May. 2026.

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