interfere
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.
interfere with, Chiefly British. to molest sexually.
Origin of interfere
1Other words for interfere
Other words from interfere
- in·ter·fer·er, noun
- in·ter·fer·ing·ly, adverb
- non·in·ter·fer·ing, adjective
- non·in·ter·fer·ing·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use interfere in a sentence
Sometimes these reflections can sound good, adding depth to recorded audio, but more often than not, they can interfere with the clarity of the final sound, make editing difficult, or just sound plain awful.
The best recording isolation shields for tracking audio in any space | PopSci Commerce Team | September 25, 2020 | Popular-ScienceMore and his colleagues suspect that the climate anomaly disrupted wind patterns enough to interfere with migrating birds.
A climate anomaly may have worsened the 1918 pandemic and WWI | Kate Baggaley | September 25, 2020 | Popular-ScienceTargeted molecules that interfere with that nefarious work could potentially stop the toxins.
Cheap, innovative venom treatments could save tens of thousands of snakebite victims | Christie Wilcox | September 19, 2020 | Science NewsIn the old days, maybe one of 100 images couldn’t be used because of an interfering satellite.
Satellite mega-constellations risk ruining astronomy forever | Neel Patel | September 2, 2020 | MIT Technology ReviewAs screens get bigger and bigger and bezels get smaller and smaller, there ends up being nowhere to put a front camera that doesn't interfere with the display.
Xiaomi’s “third-generation” under-display camera looks nearly invisible | Ron Amadeo | August 28, 2020 | Ars Technica
On the other hand, right-wing activists have lately said, banning displays interferes with the exercise of religion.
Provisions can be made so that the law interferes minimally with media outlets rightfully publishing important information.
Anything that interferes with that relationship is part of the problem.
The Health-Care System Is So Broken, It’s Time for Doctors to Strike | Daniela Drake | April 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIf following this diet stresses you out or interferes with your sleep patterns, it could also impede weight loss.
“There are very good reasons why people should not wish to accept it, because it interferes with their business,” he said.
Sir David Attenborough: Enough With the Creationists and Climate Change Deniers! | Nico Hines | February 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTDecomposition sets in rapidly, especially in warm weather, and greatly interferes with all the examinations.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell ToddHis motto was, "Grab a dollar to-day—but don't meddle with it if it interferes with a thousand dollars in ten years."
Scattergood Baines | Clarence Budington KellandBut let us suppose that no obstacle of family or connection interferes to check the approach of a suitor.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness | Florence HartleyIt has become one of the individuals of our story, and interferes with the fate of the merely human personages.
Overland | John William De ForestSexual anæsthesia another neurotic trait which interferes with marital harmony.
Taboo and Genetics | Melvin Moses Knight, Iva Lowther Peters, and Phyllis Mary Blanchard
British Dictionary definitions for interfere
/ (ˌɪntəˈfɪə) /
(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
Origin of interfere
1Derived forms of interfere
- interferer, noun
- interfering, adjective
- interferingly, adverb
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
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