intervene
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to come between disputing people, groups, etc.; intercede; mediate.
-
to occur or be between two things.
-
to occur or happen between other events or periods.
Nothing important intervened between the meetings.
-
(of things) to occur incidentally so as to modify or hinder.
We enjoyed the picnic until a thunderstorm intervened.
-
to interfere with force or a threat of force.
to intervene in the affairs of another country.
-
Law. to interpose and become a party to a suit pending between other parties.
verb
-
(often foll by in) to take a decisive or intrusive role (in) in order to modify or determine events or their outcome
-
to come or be (among or between)
-
(of a period of time) to occur between events or points in time
-
(of an event) to disturb or hinder a course of action
-
economics to take action to affect the market forces of an economy, esp to maintain the stability of a currency
-
law to interpose and become a party to a legal action between others, esp in order to protect one's interests
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The video assistant referee did not intervene on any of the calls, to ask referee Stuart Attwell to review his decisions.
From BBC
A Justice Department official said leadership officials were obligated to intervene when bureaucrats make moves inconsistent with the agency’s enforcement policies.
Government forces have been accused of siding with tribal groups despite saying they were intervening to restore order.
From BBC
It said that officers would intervene earlier when larger waste sites were identified, using powers to shut down any illegal waste operation immediately, with no warning.
From BBC
With little left, Ebey is appealing to both county and national authorities to intervene and support her family.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
