intervene

[ in-ter-veen ]

verb (used without object)

, in·ter·vened, in·ter·ven·ing.

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.

intervene

/ 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. foll byin or between 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

Derived Forms

• ˌinterˈvener, noun

Other Words From

• rein·ter·vene verb (used without object) reintervened reintervening
• unin·ter·vening adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of intervene¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of intervene¹

C16: from Latin intervenīre to come between, from inter- + venīre to come

Example Sentences

Nothing in it was meant to change the basic operations of the capitalist economy or to intervene aggressively in class relations.

From The Daily Beast

Please, Your Excellencies, consider my case with justice and intervene on my behalf.

From The Daily Beast

Starr stresses that universities are required under Title IX to investigate and intervene in sexual assault cases.

From The Daily Beast

Many Syrian rebels remain furious with what they view as a cynical U.S. decision to intervene in Syria against ISIS but not Assad.

From The Daily Beast

Even if he had wanted to intervene, he couldn't have as he is "no Arnold Schwarzenegger," as he says.

From The Daily Beast

Now and then Fortunio had to intervene, to make plainer to this ignorant Piedmontese mind the Marquise's questions.

From Project Gutenberg

His lordship would not intervene; he swore he hoped the cub would be flayed alive by Wilding.

From Project Gutenberg

The attack was so sudden that Walker went down, and Sanny was on top of him before anyone could intervene.

From Project Gutenberg

She looked at him, yet across her eyes, as across her soul, the same misty curtain seemed to intervene.

From Project Gutenberg

Vanderbank had just debated, recalling engagements; which gave Mrs. Brook time to intervene.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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