Intervene: Definition and Synonyms
intervene – Definition and Part of Speech
The word “intervene” is a verb that means to come between so as to prevent or alter a result or course of events. It implies inserting oneself in a situation to influence the outcome, often with a sense of neutrality or mediation.
Grammatical Forms:
- Intervene (base form)
- Intervenes (third person singular present)
- Intervened (past tense and past participle)
- Intervening (present participle/gerund)
Core Synonyms
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mediate | To intervene as a neutral party to settle a dispute. | “The UN tried to mediate the peace talks.” | Formal, Diplomatic |
| Interfere | To intrude upon or disrupt an activity or process. | “She dislikes being interfered with while working.” | Informal/Casual |
| Obtrude | To impose oneself rudely into a situation or conversation. | “He obtruded his opinion despite the ongoing discussion.” | Formal, Literary |
| Insert | To place something among other things in a casual manner. | “The editor inserted a footnote for clarification.” | Neutral/Academic |
| Intercede | To intervene on behalf of another to plead or argue. | “He interceded on behalf of his friend during the meeting.” | Formal, Legal |
| Step In | To take control over an activity or situation informally. | “She decided to step in when things got chaotic.” | Informal/Casual |
Usage Notes
- Mediate is often used in contexts where neutrality and conflict resolution are involved, such as international diplomacy or workplace disputes.
- Interfere can carry a negative connotation, implying unwanted intrusion into someone’s activities. It’s frequently used in casual speech to express annoyance at being disturbed.
- Obtrude has a more literary feel and is suitable for describing intrusive behavior that lacks social tact, often found in descriptive writing or formal critique.
- Insert is commonly employed in academic or technical writing, particularly when referring to adding information (like footnotes) without causing significant disruption.
- Intercede suggests an intervention on someone else’s behalf, often used in legal contexts where advocacy or mediation is required.
- Step In is informal and implies taking action decisively but often gently, making it popular in conversational or narrative descriptions of spontaneous interventions.
Common Pitfalls
- Mixing up “interfere” with more neutral terms like “mediate” can lead to misunderstanding the intent behind an intervention. While “interfere” suggests disruption, “mediate” indicates a helpful or neutral involvement.
- Using “obtrude” in everyday conversation might confuse listeners because it is less common and carries a specific connotation of rudeness.
- “Intervene” often gets confused with “intercede,” though the latter specifically involves acting on behalf of another person.
Final Recap
In summary, while all these synonyms for “intervene” involve some form of entering into or affecting a situation, they differ in nuance and context. Understanding these differences can enhance clarity and precision in communication across various settings:
- Mediate and intercede are more formal and often used in contexts involving conflict resolution.
- Interfere and obtrude imply unwanted intrusion, with “obtrude” having a stronger literary tone.
- Insert is neutral, suitable for academic use.
- Step In is casual and commonly used to describe informal interventions.
To solidify your understanding of these synonyms, try creating sentences using each word in different contexts, such as writing an essay or engaging in conversation. Practicing with real-life examples will help you grasp the subtle differences and appropriate uses more effectively.