intervene
Americanverb (used without object)
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intervenes,
present (3rd person singular)
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intervened,
past participle, past
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intervening
present participle
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to come between disputing people, groups, etc.; intercede; mediate.
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to occur or be between two things.
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to occur or happen between other events or periods.
Nothing important intervened between the meetings.
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(of things) to occur incidentally so as to modify or hinder.
We enjoyed the picnic until a thunderstorm intervened.
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to interfere with force or a threat of force.
to intervene in the affairs of another country.
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Law. to interpose and become a party to a suit pending between other parties.
verb
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(often foll by in) to take a decisive or intrusive role (in) in order to modify or determine events or their outcome
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to come or be (among or between)
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(of a period of time) to occur between events or points in time
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(of an event) to disturb or hinder a course of action
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economics to take action to affect the market forces of an economy, esp to maintain the stability of a currency
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law to interpose and become a party to a legal action between others, esp in order to protect one's interests
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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intervenesimple
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intervenessimple
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have intervenedperfect
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has intervenedperfect
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am interveningprogressive
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are interveningprogressive
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is interveningprogressive
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have been interveningperfect progressive
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has been interveningperfect progressive
Past
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intervenedsimple
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had intervenedperfect
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was interveningprogressive
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were interveningprogressive
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had been interveningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of intervene
First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin intervenīre “to come between,” from inter- inter- + venīre “to come”; see also basis, come
Explanation
From the Latin "intervenire," meaning “to come between,” the verb intervene means just that: to get involved, to jump in the middle of something, to interfere. The verb intervene was first recorded around 1600. Since then there haven't been many interventions in its meaning or usage. You should probably intervene in a heated verbal fight between two of your friends before it escalates and gets physical. Especially if they're debating the United States’ habit of intervening in international conflicts.
Vocabulary lists containing intervene
Power Prefix: inter-
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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:
Viewers and women's safety charities had been calling on ITV to intervene in Omar El Mayer and Rhianna Collins' relationship after several heated exchanges between the pair.
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026
"It helps us map complex disease with such precision that we can begin to anticipate its course and intervene before the most serious damage occurs."
From Science Daily ● Oct. 19, 2026
As a child at his church's daycare center, James Talarico would intervene to break up fights, according to the pastor who has known him since infancy.
From Barron's ● Oct. 19, 2026
Sober sisters walk around the party, intervene when necessary and ensure members get home safely.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2026
Then he says that he saw me picking on a sixth grader today and decided to intervene.
From "Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish" by Pablo Cartaya
The Economist's editor-in-chief Zanny Minton Beddoes questioned Musk on a range of topics, from whether he believed big tech executives should work together to tackle AI safety risks to why he intervenes in European politics.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
"When one country intervenes in the decisions of another country, freedom dies," Petro wrote Tuesday in response to Trump's endorsement.
From Barron's ● Jun. 3, 2026
“Real life intervenes for Kayce. Unfortunately it happens to so many of us.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 1, 2026
One-third of the nation’s coal fleet plans to retire over the next five years, unless someone intervenes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 3, 2026
Out in the yard, the two kids start arguing over the bubble wand, and their mom intervenes.
From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison
Several then entered, one spray painting an anarchist "A" symbol on an inside wall, before police intervened to disperse them.
From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026
Players from both teams intervened, and the episode was documented on video by the NFL.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
Riyadh's military coalition intervened to support the government the following year.
From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026
However, the auction house said the sale of the recordings had been suspended after the band intervened.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
Granted, I wouldn’t be looking out at a quilt of sprouting grain as I survey my flax and wheat fields had my neighbors not intervened.
From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson
"That this coming event is worse than that, after three intervening global bleaching events ... is a terrifying reality," he said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026
Upon arriving, the statues discover that Rome has undergone more than a few changes over the intervening centuries.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
Steer clear of constant checking and tracking or intervening These may soothe you in the short term, but can inadvertently communicate to your young adult: "I am not sure you can cope without me."
From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026
CIF membership has been cautious about intervening or limiting transfer opportunities for fear politicians in Sacramento might get involved.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026
Light from the Sun reaches us across the intervening empty space, but no matter how carefully we listen, we do not hear the crackle of sunspots or the thunder of the solar flares.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
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