Definition of interposenext
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as in to interrupt
to cause a disruption in a conversation or discussion I hate to interpose, but could you tell me what you meant by that last remark?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of interpose are intercede, interfere, intervene, and mediate. While all these words mean "to come or go between," interpose often implies no more than this.

interposed herself between him and the door

When could intercede be used to replace interpose?

While in some cases nearly identical to interpose, intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness.

interceded on our behalf

When is it sensible to use interfere instead of interpose?

The words interfere and interpose are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, interfere implies hindering.

noise interfered with my concentration

When would intervene be a good substitute for interpose?

The synonyms intervene and interpose are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Where would mediate be a reasonable alternative to interpose?

The meanings of mediate and interpose largely overlap; however, 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 interpose Language, being a product of rationality, lacks the capacity to interpose itself. Rachel Cusk, New Yorker, 13 June 2026 Peasant growers’ resistance to these operations fueled the Shining Path insurgency by providing recruits and creating an opening for the guerrillas to interpose themselves between the farmers and the police. Michelle D. Paranzino, The Conversation, 11 June 2026 Would the court have come out the same way, or would suddenly interposing a third-party sale have changed their analysis? Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 9 June 2026 An electrolyte—commonly a polymer or ceramic—interposed between the fuel and oxidizer helps shuttle ions within the fuel cell. IEEE Spectrum, 16 May 2016 See All Example Sentences for interpose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interpose
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
Verb
  • Across 17 tracks, guitar riffs curdle into sheets of distortion, melodies dissolve into electronic hiss, and grooves are chronically interrupted by fresh rhythmic detours.
    Arman Khan, Pitchfork, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Lombard’s time in Triple-A was interrupted by a left finger injury that sidelined him for nearly a month.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In the ninth inning, the Royals inserted Tyler Tolbert to pinch-hit for him against Twins reliever Jack Anderson.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 July 2026
  • Unlike traditional microneedling, which uses metal needles inserted and withdrawn, spicules embed superficially and shed with normal skin turnover over a few days.
    Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 27 July 2026
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
Verb
  • The macOS ecosystem had to deal with a similar issue when the function keys were replaced by the touch-sensitive Touch Bar, introduced in 2016.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Butterfly Bash was introduced as the signature celebration of the milestone year.
    Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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