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 next

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 After Penelope interceded, Odysseus strung the bow easily and completed the task. —

Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Mar. 2026 State media said Lebanese President Joseph Aoun asked French counterpart Emmanuel Macron to intercede with Israel to stop the Dahiyeh’s targeting and bring about a ceasefire. —

Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026 State officials have suggested the administration’s push to review county voting records is an attempt to intercede in upcoming midterm elections. —

Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 4 Feb. 2026 As Clare Malone reported for The New Yorker, Woodward beseeched Bezos to intercede. —

Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for intercede

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intercede

Verb

Robinson shoved Daniels backward, and Bradley intervened before the dispute could escalate further.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
In the intervening months, Hollywood had suffered an actors’ strike, a writers’ strike, a spiraling production exodus and a content contraction precipitated by the economics of streaming and the rise of creators on media platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

— Nick Morton, HollywoodReporter, 20 Apr. 2026