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
Excessive exposure to high-sugar foods has also been found to reduce cognitive function and cause damage to the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, the parts of the brain that mediate executive control and memory. Claire Wilcox, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025 Qatar is helping mediate the ceasefire negotiations, but trust is thin, especially after Israel tried to kill Hamas negotiators in Qatar in September. Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mediate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mediate
Adjective
  • Based on author Julia Quinn’s romance series of the same name, the fourth season marks the halfway point of the series overall as each season focuses on the eight Bridgerton siblings’ pursuit of love.
    Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2025
  • The journey begins with mild goosebumps but will take a grisly turn at the halfway point, warns Liu.
    John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • When approached to intervene, brands default to the position that their hands are tied, pointing to the union’s lack of legal status and MoLVT conciliation notes that side with the employer.
    Sourcing Journal, Sourcing Journal, 15 Oct. 2025
  • When protesters fail to comply with legal restrictions, such as evoking violence, law enforcement can intervene, the ACLU website says.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Throughout those seasons, Benedict was the aloof middle brother, too busy drinking too much and partaking in gender-indiscriminate dalliances to want to settle down.
    Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The position also activates your core and upper body, improving the function of your thoracic spine (the middle section connecting to your ribs).
    Jakob Roze, Health, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But Colorado has interfered in those discussions.
    Megan Schrader, Denver Post, 13 Oct. 2025
  • This Ministry frequently interferes in employers’ decisions, instigates acts of discrimination by authorities and organizations, brings weight to bear on the organs of justice and even orchestrates propaganda campaigns in the media.
    Jonny Diamond, Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Without intermediary markups and administrative complexities, direct-to-consumer channels can offer substantial savings.
    Ge Bai, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • This intermediary run began in Chicago, where the film sold out the Music Box theater ahead of a pool party on Aug. 22.
    Andrew McGowan, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In 2016, he was forced to vacate the WWE World Heavyweight Championship after tearing his ACL, MCL, and medial meniscus, an injury that kept him out of action for seven months.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • The incident's central command constantly receives progress reports from firefighters on the ground.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Earlier, in the central state of Querétaro, a child died after being caught in a landslide.
    Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The sentiment is shared by millions of the country’s young population, whose median age is 18, in perhaps the most dramatic example of tension between Africa’s youth and the continent’s many aging leaders.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Costs were then compared to the median household income to determine where Americans spend the greatest percentage of their income on groceries.
    Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 10 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mediate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mediate. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

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