intercede
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to act or interpose in behalf of someone in difficulty or trouble, as by pleading or petition.
to intercede with the governor for a condemned man.
- Synonyms:
- intervene
-
to attempt to reconcile differences between two people or groups; mediate.
- Synonyms:
- intervene
-
Roman History. (of a tribune or other magistrate) to interpose a veto.
verb
-
(often foll by in) to come between parties or act as mediator or advocate
to intercede in the strike
-
Roman history (of a tribune or other magistrate) to interpose a veto
Other Word Forms
- interceder noun
- preintercede verb (used without object)
Etymology
Origin of intercede
From the Latin word intercēdere, dating back to 1570–80. See inter-, cede
Explanation
When you intercede, you try to help people work out their differences or achieve something, like when you intercede on your friend's behalf to encourage your boss to hire him, or when feuding friends ask you to intercede, guiding them to sort out their differences. The verb intercede comes from the Latin root words inter, meaning "between," and cedere, meaning "go." Acting as a go-between is exactly what you do when you intercede. Maybe you are the peacemaker, or you play matchmaker, or you just bring people to work out their problems. Sometimes people pray that God will intercede in their lives, meaning bring change that improves a situation.
Vocabulary lists containing intercede
Power Prefix: inter-
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A Christmas Carol
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"The Metamorphosis," Vocabulary from the novella
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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.
On Monday, she met with Pope Leo in Rome and asked him “to intercede for all Venezuelans who remain kidnapped and disappeared.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 12, 2026
This is now the third time in a matter of weeks this Court has had to intercede in a case squarely controlled by one of its precedents.
From Slate • Jan. 3, 2026
When special envoy Keith Kellogg travelled to Minsk to intercede for American citizens in prison, he emerged with Sergei, too.
From BBC • Jun. 30, 2025
As real-life danger threatens the brave young heroes, supernatural forces will intercede in their defense.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 20, 2025
I wondered to which of them I might go to intercede for me with Dr. Bledsoe, but within myself I knew that there was no one.
From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison
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.
