INTERCEDE Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of intercede are interfere , interpose , intervene , and mediate . While all these words mean "to come or go between," intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness. // interceded on our behalf

Q: When could 'interfere' be used to replace 'intercede'?

While the synonyms interfere and intercede are close in meaning, interfere implies hindering. // noise interfered with my concentration

Q: When is it sensible to use 'interpose' instead of 'intercede'?

While in some cases nearly identical to intercede , interpose often implies no more than this. // interposed herself between him and the door

Q: When would 'intervene' be a good substitute for 'intercede'?

The meanings of intervene and intercede largely overlap; however, 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: When can 'mediate' be used instead of 'intercede'?

The words mediate and intercede are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mediate implies intervening between hostile factions. // mediated between the parties

intercede

verb

ˌin-tər-ˈsēd

Definition of intercede

as in to intervene

to act as a go-between for opposing sides asked an old friend of the family to intercede in the bitter dispute over the inheritance

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Some common synonyms of intercede are interfere, interpose, intervene, and mediate. While all these words mean "to come or go between," intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness.

interceded on our behalf

When could interfere be used to replace intercede?

While the synonyms interfere and intercede are close in meaning, interfere implies hindering.

noise interfered with my concentration

When is it sensible to use interpose instead of intercede?

While in some cases nearly identical to intercede, interpose often implies no more than this.

interposed herself between him and the door

When would intervene be a good substitute for intercede?

The meanings of intervene and intercede largely overlap; however, 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

When can mediate be used instead of intercede?

The words mediate and intercede are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mediate implies intervening between hostile factions.

mediated between the parties

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 intercede Packwood took the case to federal court and lost, ending when Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist refused the senator’s request for the high court to intercede. — Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026 Also, if a player is shown a yellow or red card for an infraction committed by another player, VAR may intercede to make sure it’s given to the correct player. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2026 And previous reports had indicated that Voight had also tried to intercede with his daughter and grandchildren on Pitt’s behalf. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 2 June 2026 Catholics may venerate saints and ask them to intercede with God on their behalf. — Bridget Retzloff, The Conversation, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for intercede

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intercede

Verb

The Bank of Japan, the country’s central bank, had intervened in the markets to boost the yen in late April.

— John Liu, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
Really, why should a creation of government that has been created to intervene in the markets be encouraged to be opaque?

— John Tamny, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of intervene

Verb

Charlotte Flair and Chelsea Green both qualified on television, Green over Kiana James and Flair over Nia Jax by disqualification after Jade Cargill interfered.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Intelligence agencies assessed in 2021 that China and other foreign countries did not try to interfere in technical aspects of the 2020 election, including voter registration processes.

— Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Definition of interfere

Browse Nearby Words

intercalating

intercede

interceded

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“Intercede.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intercede. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of intercede

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