intercede
Americanverb (used without object)
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intercedes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
interceded,
past participle, past
-
interceding
present participle
-
to act or interpose in behalf of someone in difficulty or trouble, as by pleading or petition.
to intercede with the governor for a condemned man.
- Synonyms:
- intervene
-
to attempt to reconcile differences between two people or groups; mediate.
- Synonyms:
- intervene
-
Roman History. (of a tribune or other magistrate) to interpose a veto.
verb
-
(often foll by in) to come between parties or act as mediator or advocate
to intercede in the strike
-
Roman history (of a tribune or other magistrate) to interpose a veto
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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intercedesimple
-
intercedessimple
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have intercededperfect
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has intercededperfect
-
am intercedingprogressive
-
are intercedingprogressive
-
is intercedingprogressive
-
have been intercedingperfect progressive
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has been intercedingperfect progressive
Past
-
intercededsimple
-
had intercededperfect
-
was intercedingprogressive
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were intercedingprogressive
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had been intercedingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of intercede
From the Latin word intercēdere, dating back to 1570–80. See inter-, cede
Explanation
When you intercede, you try to help people work out their differences or achieve something, like when you intercede on your friend's behalf to encourage your boss to hire him, or when feuding friends ask you to intercede, guiding them to sort out their differences. The verb intercede comes from the Latin root words inter, meaning "between," and cedere, meaning "go." Acting as a go-between is exactly what you do when you intercede. Maybe you are the peacemaker, or you play matchmaker, or you just bring people to work out their problems. Sometimes people pray that God will intercede in their lives, meaning bring change that improves a situation.
Vocabulary lists containing intercede
Power Prefix: inter-
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A Christmas Carol
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"The Metamorphosis," Vocabulary from the novella
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
That is setting up a debate over when military forces should use AI, when humans should intercede and who should decide where to draw the lines.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026
This is now the third time in a matter of weeks this Court has had to intercede in a case squarely controlled by one of its precedents.
From Slate ● Jan. 3, 2026
Mr Bennett described the situation as unbearable and called directly on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy to intercede on their behalf.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2025
Levenson said it’s unlikely Hochman could intercede, however, if Ryan grants the resentencing petition before Gascón leaves office.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2024
My friends around me began speaking rapid Arabic, gesturing and pointing, trying to intercede for me.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
The new mission of the Slatest is to explain the biggest story of the day, but sometimes the story of the year intercedes.
From Slate ● Jun. 16, 2026
"Where this work intercedes is thinking about how to inject something beforehand that would help boost or enhance the amount of signal that is available to collect in the same small sample."
From Science Daily ● Jan. 18, 2024
A geology section jarringly intercedes before Robinson continues, like a flashback occurring too soon in a novel.
From Washington Post ● May 21, 2022
"The longer that talks go on, the greater the chance that the conflict intercedes," said Henry Rome, Iran analyst at consultancy Eurasia.
From Reuters ● Mar. 1, 2022
But when he said, “We will now pray to the spirit in our own words, for the spirit intercedes for us in accordance with His will,” the silence was broken.
From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
After the parent company, the Stronach Group, interceded, changed track management and instituted major safety reforms, the fatalities were greatly reduced.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2023
While Burr's powerful friends subsequently interceded and persuaded state officials to drop the charges, their success had nothing to do with any immunity that Burr enjoyed as an executive officer of the United States.
From Salon ● Apr. 5, 2023
She remembers one of Helm’s two dogs was jealous when her owner got close to Staples and would bark until the drummer interceded on Staples’ behalf; the barking immediately stopped.
From Seattle Times ● May 19, 2022
He now believes that Sheriff Davis was likely at the rally the whole time and interceded only after news of Cheney’s phone calls had been radioed to him.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 12, 2022
Max and John quickly came to Francis’ rescue and interceded with the Professor.
From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson
Dodie Osteen said interceding for those in need is a fulfilling ministry.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 19, 2023
The cornerstone of the college’s mental health initiative is interceding and introducing students to services early as well as approaching students directly instead of hoping they reach out themselves.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 29, 2022
One recruiting pipeline has consistently filled some of our hardest and most important jobs during the interceding generations: new military members mostly come from military families.
From Salon ● Nov. 11, 2021
A photo of the angry throng closing on the Bittons made the papers, but not the story of black residents and a black reporter interceding, Mr. Noel said.
From New York Times ● Sep. 21, 2018
The knitters of Barracks 28 became the praying heart of the vast diseased body that was Ravensbruck, interceding for all in the camp—guards, under Betsie’s prodding, as well as prisoners.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
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