INTERFERE Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'interfere' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of interfere are intercede , interpose , intervene , and mediate . While all these words mean "to come or go between," interfere implies hindering. // noise interfered with my concentration

Q: When is 'intercede' a more appropriate choice than 'interfere'?

The words intercede and interfere can be used in similar contexts, but intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness. // interceded on our behalf

Q: When can 'interpose' be used instead of 'interfere'?

The meanings of interpose and interfere largely overlap; however, interpose often implies no more than this. // interposed herself between him and the door

Q: Where would 'intervene' be a reasonable alternative to 'interfere'?

While the synonyms intervene and interfere 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

Q: In what contexts can 'mediate' take the place of 'interfere'?

While in some cases nearly identical to interfere , mediate implies intervening between hostile factions. // mediated between the parties

interfere

verb

ˌin-tər-ˈfir

Definition of interfere next

as in to mess

to interest oneself in what is not one's concern a strong resentment of outsiders who attempted to interfere with their traditional ways of doing things

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word interfere different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of interfere are intercede, interpose, intervene, and mediate. While all these words mean "to come or go between," interfere implies hindering.

noise interfered with my concentration

When is intercede a more appropriate choice than interfere?

The words intercede and interfere can be used in similar contexts, but intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness.

interceded on our behalf

When can interpose be used instead of interfere?

The meanings of interpose and interfere largely overlap; however, interpose often implies no more than this.

interposed herself between him and the door

Where would intervene be a reasonable alternative to interfere?

While the synonyms intervene and interfere 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

In what contexts can mediate take the place of interfere?

While in some cases nearly identical to interfere, mediate implies intervening between hostile factions.

mediated between the parties

Examples of interfere in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web This is the continuation of the latest fake media outrage days before the election in a blatant attempt to interfere on behalf of Kamala Harris. —

Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 Iran has denied trying to interfere in U.S. elections. —

Dan De Luce, NBC News, 22 Oct. 2024 And later in October, the supermoon known as hunter’s moon will interfere less with meteor viewing. —

Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 20 Oct. 2024 The researchers used nanoparticles containing small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that, when swallowed, are delivered to the small intestine. —

New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for interfere

Recent Examples of Synonyms for interfere

Verb

So Damien really let Drew take care of that part, and Drew, who has a martial arts background, would constantly tell me to mess it up.

Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Oct. 2024
Today, that’s not true anymore and that messed people up.

Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2024