intervene

American  

[in-ter-veen] / ˌɪn tərˈvin /

verb (used without object)

intervened, intervening

1. to come between disputing people, groups, etc.; intercede; mediate.

   Synonyms:

   interpose, arbitrate

2. to occur or be between two things.

3. to occur or happen between other events or periods.

   Nothing important intervened between the meetings.

4. (of things) to occur incidentally so as to modify or hinder.

   We enjoyed the picnic until a thunderstorm intervened.

5. to interfere with force or a threat of force.

   to intervene in the affairs of another country.

6. Law. to interpose and become a party to a suit pending between other parties.

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intervene British  

/ ˌɪntəˈviːn /

verb

1. (often foll by in) to take a decisive or intrusive role (in) in order to modify or determine events or their outcome

2. to come or be (among or between)

3. (of a period of time) to occur between events or points in time

4. (of an event) to disturb or hinder a course of action

5. economics to take action to affect the market forces of an economy, esp to maintain the stability of a currency

6. law to interpose and become a party to a legal action between others, esp in order to protect one's interests

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Other Word Forms

• intervener noun
• reintervene verb (used without object)
• unintervening adjective

Etymology

Origin of intervene

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin intervenīre “to come between,” from inter- inter- + venīre “to come”; basis, come

Example Sentences

The government will still intervene to support sectors like semiconductors vital to national security.

From The Wall Street Journal

This would give the government greater powers to oversee acquisitions and mergers, with the secretary of state able to intervene if a deal threatens the public interest.

From BBC

The Syrian authorities said their forces intervened to stop the clashes, but witnesses and monitors accused them of siding with the Bedouin.

From Barron's

"What has to be protected is having great racing, great overtaking opportunities, great challenge to the drivers to show they are best. If these points are not taken, we need to intervene and restart immediately."

From BBC

The rupiah has hit a series of record lows against the dollar in recent months, drawing concern from policymakers who have vowed to keep intervening to stabilize the currency.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• arbitrate
• intercede
• interfere
• involve
• meddle
• negotiate