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

Hegseth, a Fox personality who served in Iraq with the Army National Guard, was involved in successfully lobbying Trump during his first term to intervene in the cases of three members of the armed services who had been convicted or accused of committing war crimes.

From Slate

She wrote back describing the apology as "too little, too late" and is now calling for other senior church leaders who failed to intervene to prevent Smyth's abuse to resign: "I just think people of the church, if they see something not going in the right direction, if it needs the police they should go to the police."

From BBC

Upon hearing the code word, employees are meant to discreetly intervene, helping the person get to safety by reuniting them with friends, calling a taxi, or contacting the police if necessary.

From BBC

“But under the ‘unitary executive’ theory, it is not illegal for the president to intervene in individual cases.

From Los Angeles Times

“The president has a duty to supervise the types of cases DOJ should focus on and can intervene to direct DOJ on specific cases,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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