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
• interfering adjective
• noninterfering adjective
• noninterferingly adverb

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 has been under house arrest since the beginning of August after a police report alleged that he and his son, Eduardo, had tried to interfere in the trial.

From BBC

In any event, State Parks has a policy of not interfering with wildlife, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

On-the-spot fines of A$8,345 apply for anyone found to be interfering with a saltwater crocodile in Queensland, but penalties can climb to more than four times that in some cases.

From BBC

Unicef, an agency of the United Nations, is urging governments to protect children's diets from unhealthy ingredients and stop the ultra-processed food industry from interfering in policy decisions.

From BBC

Both heat and noise can harm the nervous system, interfere with metabolism and disrupt sleep patterns.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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