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:
Do they want or need you to intervene?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
The case has raised questions about how Xuan and Zhang were able to collect so many surrogate children — and what took so long for authorities to intervene.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
"The doctors believe it would be right to intervene and so, following their advice, I have decided to have the operation to remove it," he said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 12, 2026
One of them, whom we are calling Tracy, describes the dilemmas she and her colleagues face daily, balancing giving families time to get through a crisis, against the risk of failing to intervene.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
They’re too young to be good at it, and Security officers are quick to intervene.
From "Red Queen" by Victoria Aveyard
The Bank of Japan intervenes in the market under the instruction of the ministry to ease economic damage from sharp fluctuations in exchange rates.
From Barron's ● Aug. 28, 2026
We can see Houghton’s play in these moments, but then Alloway’s cheeky pop sensibility intervenes, the arch artificiality and ironic tone draining the emotional impact.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 26, 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
At several points, Ratner intervenes to prod Trump into sharing more about herself.
From BBC ● Jan. 30, 2026
“I think what Clara is trying to say,” Dad intervenes, “is that this could be a good opportunity for us as a family.”
From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila
The chapter said the woman’s friend alerted one of their “sober monitors,” and other members intervened.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026
Players from both teams intervened, and the episode was documented on video by the NFL.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
After gaining entry, he "intervened with the assistance of a cabin crew member and several passengers, and together they rescued the injured captain and restrained the suspect".
From Barron's ● Oct. 12, 2026
With several powerful groups refusing to disarm, senior politicians have intervened and are now hoping to work out a compromise deal.
From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026
His wife, Flora, intervened; the baby became Roy.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
Aren’t they supposed to be coming forward with protective concern, and intervening to get us off the path of “2027”?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
"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
"Constant checking, tracking or intervening may soothe the parent in the short term, but it can inadvertently communicate to the 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
Olbers’s counterargument was that the light from distant stars would be dimmed by absorption by intervening matter.
From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
