interfere

[ in-ter-feer ]

/ ˌɪn tərˈfɪər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR interfere ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), in·ter·fered, in·ter·fer·ing.

to come into opposition, as one thing with another, especially with the effect of hampering action or procedure (often followed by with): Constant distractions interfere with work.

to take part in the affairs of others; meddle (often followed by with or in): to interfere in another's life.

(of things) to strike against each other, or one against another, so as to hamper or hinder action; come into physical collision.

to interpose or intervene for a particular purpose.

to strike one foot or leg against another in moving, as a horse.

Sports.

to obstruct the action of an opposing player in a way barred by the rules.
Football. to run interference for a teammate carrying the ball.

Physics. to cause interference.

to clash; come in collision; be in opposition: The claims of two nations may interfere.

Law. to claim earlier invention when several patent requests for the same invention are being filed.

Verb Phrases

interfere with, Chiefly British. to molest sexually.

Nearby words

interfacing, interfaith, interfascicular, interfascicular cambium, interfenestration, interfere, interference, interference drag, interference fit, interference microscope, interference pattern

Origin of interfere

1520–30; inter- + -fere < Latin ferīre to strike; modeled on Middle French s'entreferir

SYNONYMS FOR interfere

2 pry, intrude, encroach, interlope.

4 intercede.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR interfere ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsin·ter·fer·er, nounin·ter·fer·ing·ly, adverbnon·in·ter·fer·ing, adjectivenon·in·ter·fer·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for interfere

However, it can interfere seriously with blood thinners and should never be taken with other antidepressant drugs.
Fish Oil, Turmeric, and Ginseng, Oh My! Are ‘Brain Foods’ B.S.?|Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD|October 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And go easy on fiber, which in large amounts can interfere with ovulation.
Exercise and Fertility: Are You Too Fit to Get Pregnant?|DailyBurn|August 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Last December, Khamenei said publicly he would not interfere in the negotiations and would leave the details to the diplomats.
Iran Supreme Leader Spills the Nuke Talk Secrets|IranWire|July 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Karzai did interfere with the negotiations at several points, in order to protect his own interests.
CIA Chief, White House Chief of Staff Long Argued the Taliban 5 Could Go Free|Josh Rogin, Eli Lake|June 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Having a stuffed stomach or indigestion can interfere with sleep.
Can’t Sleep? Your Guide to a Better Night’s Rest|DailyBurn|January 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He heard shots, but he knew that it would be useless to interfere.
The City and the World and Other Stories|Francis Clement Kelley
These were odd actions, surely; but was it my place to interfere?
The Agony Column|Earl Derr Biggers
They were willing to accept a religion which did 219 not interfere with savage customs, which had become a part of their lives.
How Marcus Whitman Saved Oregon|Oliver W. Nixon
The Kwang-si insurrection, on the other hand, must triumph, if foreign Powers do not interfere.
Ti-Ping Tien-Kwoh|Lin-Le
The slight irregularity does not interfere with the picture of the streams of returning exiles from every quarter.
The Expositor's Bible: The Psalms, Volume III|Alexander Maclaren

British Dictionary definitions for interfere

interfere

/ (ˌɪntəˈfɪə) /

verb (intr)

(often foll by in) to interpose, esp meddlesomely or unwarrantedly; intervene

(often foll by with) to come between or in opposition; hinder; obstruct

(foll by with) euphemistic to assault sexually

to strike one against the other, as a horse's legs

physics to cause or produce interference

Derived Formsinterferer, nouninterfering, adjectiveinterferingly, adverb

Word Origin for interfere

C16: from Old French s'entreferir to collide, from entre- inter- + ferir to strike, from Latin ferīre

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for interfere

interfere

mid-15c., "to strike against," from Middle French enterferer "to strike each other," from entre- "between" (see entre-) + ferir "to strike," from Latin ferire "to knock, strike," related to Latin forare "to bore, pierce" (see bore (v.), and cf. punch (v.), which has both the senses "to hit" and "to make a hole in"). Figurative sense of "to meddle with, oppose unrightfully" is from 1630s. Related: Interfered; interfering.

interfere

verb (used without object), in·ter·fered, in·ter·fer·ing.

Verb Phrases

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Origin of interfere

Examples from the Web for interfere

British Dictionary definitions for interfere

interfere

verb (intr)

Word Origin for interfere

Word Origin and History for interfere

interfere