interpose

[ in-ter-pohz ]

verb (used with object)

, in·ter·posed, in·ter·pos·ing.

1. to place between; cause to intervene:

   to interpose an opaque body between a light and the eye.

   Synonyms: inject, insinuate, insert, introduce

2. to put (a barrier, obstacle, etc.) between or in the way of.
3. to put in (a remark, question, etc.) in the midst of a conversation, discourse, or the like.

   Synonyms: interject

4. to bring (influence, action, etc.) to bear between parties, or on behalf of a party or person.

verb (used without object)

, in·ter·posed, in·ter·pos·ing.

1. to come between other things; assume an intervening position or relation.
2. to step in between parties at variance; mediate.

   Synonyms: intercede, intervene

3. to put in or make a remark by way of interruption.

   Synonyms: interject

interpose

/ ˌɪntəˈpəʊz /

verb

1. to put or place between or among other things
2. to introduce (comments, questions, etc) into a speech or conversation; interject
3. to exert or use power, influence, or action in order to alter or intervene in (a situation)

Derived Forms

• ˌinterˈposable, adjective
• ˌinterˈposal, noun
• ˌinterˈposer, noun

Other Words From

• inter·posa·ble adjective
• inter·posal noun
• inter·poser noun
• inter·posing·ly adverb
• unin·ter·posed adjective
• unin·ter·posing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of interpose¹

From the Middle French word interposer, dating back to 1590–1600. See inter-, pose ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of interpose¹

C16: from Old French interposer, from Latin interpōnere, from inter- + pōnere to put

Example Sentences

"When I purposely interposed names, they said I didn't know Pelosi from Nikki," Trump said at a rally in South Carolina last month, making another gaffe.

From Salon

The former president claimed at a South Carolina rally Wednesday night he actually intended to "interpose" the women's names during the Jan. 6 gaffe, HuffPost reports.

From Salon

Such a note, seemingly interposed at random, echoes Whitman and DeFeo.

From Los Angeles Times

This device is so effective, in fact, that Kijak borrows it wholesale, repeatedly interposing these moments of gay serendipity, many of them identical to those in “Home Movies.”

From New York Times

An “uncharged co-conspirator” recorded the protest and said the group was “going over to stand in front of the door” of the clinic and “interpose,” the indictment said.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• arbitrate