interfere

[in-ter-feer]

verb (used without object)

interfered, interfering 

1. to come into opposition, as one thing with another, especially with the effect of hampering action or procedure (often followed bywith ).

   Constant distractions interfere with work.

2. to take part in the affairs of others; meddle (often followed by with orin ).

   to interfere in another's life.

   Synonyms: interlope, encroach, intrude, pry

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

4. to interpose or intervene for a particular purpose.

   Synonyms: intercede

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

6. Sports.

   1. to obstruct the action of an opposing player in a way barred by the rules.

   2. Football.,  to run interference for a teammate carrying the ball.

7. Physics.,  to cause interference.

8. to clash; come in collision; be in opposition.

   The claims of two nations may interfere.

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

verb phrase

1. interfere with,  to molest sexually.

interfere

/ ˌɪntəˈfɪə /

verb

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

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

3. euphemistic,  (foll by with) to assault sexually

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

5. physics to cause or produce interference

Other Word Forms

• interferer noun
• interferingly adverb
• noninterfering adjective
• noninterferingly adverb
• interfering adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of interfere¹

First recorded in 1520–30; inter- + -fere (from Latin ferīre “to strike”); modeled on Middle French s'entreferir

Word History and Origins

Origin of interfere¹

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

Example Sentences

He notes that common tools such as antibodies and nanobodies often bind too tightly to DNA, which can interfere with the cell's own repair systems.

Read more on Science Daily

They exposed the hatchlings to a strong magnetic pulse, which temporarily interfered with the turtles' ability to feel magnetic forces.

Read more on Science Daily

Home Depot employees did not interfere with the protesters and eventually closed off one of the store’s entrances.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The army has previously said it doesn’t interfere with politics, though it has done so in the past.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Martinez was accused of interfering with Border Patrol agents’ attempts to detain one of his co-workers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hamper 
• hinder 
• impede 
• inhibit 
• intervene 
• intrude 
• meddle 
• prevent