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 copilot allegedly stabbed the captain in the cockpit before passengers intervened aboard FlyDubai Flight FZ1073 after taking off from Dubai, UAE, with 182 people including eight crew members flying to Tel Aviv, Israel, on Wednesday.
    — Sam Metz, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • When managers repeatedly intervene in the same situation, treat it as process feedback.
    — Michael Goshka, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Roy interrupts this life update to summon the Diamond Dogs for advice about his predicament.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Every Consequential System Needs A Credible Stopping Mechanism Human operators must be able to interrupt, isolate and retire any consequential system.
    — Babajide Ojuola, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Similarly, after users realized the Rumpelstiltskin meme was made with AI, the clip quickly became a template for users to insert their own characters.
    — Angela Yang, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026
  • French design firm Gilles & Boissier helped design the 21 guestrooms, inserting green spaces filled with palm trees and other tropical flora to make each living space feel ultra-private.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The terms of the restraining order will bar Gupta and his gallery from interfering at all with Longcraft’s interest in the works.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 2 Oct. 2026
  • If a person interferes or one step fails, the system can adjust its plan and retry rather than requiring the entire task to be restarted.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Over time, Buddhism introduced ideas of reincarnation and karmic retribution, linking a person's fate after death to their actions in life.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Retail and e-commerce companies are increasingly using AI to gather customer data and introduce dynamic or personalized pricing, according to the Bank of England.
    — Caleigh Keating, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Interpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interpose. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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