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

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
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
Touting itself as a peace broker and guarantor of stability, in the wake of Operation 1027, Beijing mediated multiple rounds of talks between the junta and several ethnic armed organizations. Ye Myo Hein, Foreign Affairs, 17 Apr. 2025 This discovery suggests that music and communal dancing played a significant role in mediating contact between various communities during the Bronze Age. Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mediate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mediate
Adjective
  • Find the halfway point between the two, and head in the direction of Polaris.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Season four of Hacks is well underway, with the halfway mark on the horizon next week.
    Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The scuffle continues even as security guards intervene.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2025
  • One teen pulled out a gun and when the father of one of the teens intervened, someone wearing a ski mask stabbed him in the back.
    Savanah Jackson, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • While on the road - Opt for the middle lanes and remain on higher ground.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Senior middle hitter Will Ashum added seven kills with two solo blocks and a block assist for the Eagles (17-2), while Aaron Dennie chipped in with five kills during the second game.
    Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Moreover, the reason politicians may want to interfere in monetary policy is that low interest rates remain a potent, quick method to boost an economy.
    Ana Carolina Garriga, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Reigns returned in March to interfere in a cage match between Rollins and Punk.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • One reason is that US companies that want to buy rare earth minerals can simply go through an intermediary country first.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Flaws Of Traditional Financial Systems Traditional payment systems are expensive due to intermediary banks as well as credit card networks.
    Raymond Qu, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Expanding National Institutes of Health medial research by 60% over the last decade.
    Dick Durbin, Chicago Tribune, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Varma is an associate professor of the psychological/medial anthropology subfield and the vice chair of undergraduate studies.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The forthcoming rain was good news for crews battling a wildfire in central New Jersey that erupted on April 22 and has consumed 12,250 acres.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The Southern Cross is rising in the southeast, about halfway up the sky with the long side of the central post pointing to the right (southwards).
    Jesse Emspak, Space.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In Lisbon, median real estate sales prices soared 62% from 2018 to 2024.
    Meehika Barua, HubSpot, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The median sales price in the area is now $476,667, according to Zillow.
    Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mediate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mediate. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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!