interject

American  

[in-ter-jekt] / ˌɪn tərˈdʒɛkt /

verb (used with object)

• interjects,
  present (3rd person singular)
• interjected,
  past participle,  past
• interjecting
  present participle

1. to insert between other things.

   to interject a clarification of a previous statement.

   Synonyms:

   intercalate, interpolate, introduce, insinuate

2. Obsolete. to come between.

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interject British  

/ ˌɪntəˈdʒɛkt /

verb

1. to interpose abruptly or sharply; interrupt with; throw in

   she interjected clever remarks

2. archaic to come between; interpose

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• interjector
  noun
• uninterjected
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• interjecting
  present
• interjected
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• interject
  simple
• interjects
  simple
• have interjected
  perfect
• has interjected
  perfect
• am interjecting
  progressive
• are interjecting
  progressive
• is interjecting
  progressive
• have been interjecting
  perfect progressive
• has been interjecting
  perfect progressive

Past

• interjected
  simple
• had interjected
  perfect
• was interjecting
  progressive
• were interjecting
  progressive
• had been interjecting
  perfect progressive

Future

• will interject
  simple
• will have interjected
  perfect
• will be interjecting
  progressive
• will have been interjecting
  perfect progressive

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Etymology

Origin of interject

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin interjectus, past participle of interjicere “to throw between,” equivalent to inter- “between, among, together” + -jec- (combining form of jac-, stem of jacere “to throw”) + -tus past participle suffix; see inter-

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Explanation

When you interject, you interrupt or put yourself in the middle of something. Ever have a coworker interject himself into the plans for your big project at work when he wasn't really needed? First used in the late 16th century, the verb interject comes from the Latin word interjicere, which combines inter-, meaning "between," and jacere, meaning "to throw." It's most often used to describe something that's abruptly thrown into a conversion. It can be considered rude to suddenly interject a question into a conversation that doesn't involve you. But you might interject a personal story into a boring presentation to liven things up.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

interject interjects interjected interjecting

The hearing grew tense at times, including when one of Fauci's lawyers who was seated next to him repeatedly tried to interject during Paul's questioning.

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

While Davis can’t really see herself living back in the States again, she was also quick to interject: “Berlin is no panacea, sweetie. There’s no safe spaces anywhere.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 9, 2025

The same principle applies in meetings: Bosses should hold back their opinions until others have spoken, and not interject even to express agreement.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 26, 2025

"Quiet, please," he continued when Harris tried to interject, in seeming reference to her well-known response to former VP Mike Pence's interruptions during a 2020 debate.

From Salon ● Sep. 11, 2024

I shift my weight and try to find the right moment to interject.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

Then Mr. Blackwood interjects: “We’re not even sure about our students’ politics.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026

"But she doesn't eat vegetables," her mother, Carmen, interjects.

From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026

"Too many!" interjects Sandy, who was not thrilled about having to park far from the village centre just to go grocery shopping -- security is even more draconian with US President Donald Trump arriving Wednesday.

From Barron's ● Jan. 20, 2026

A rep interjects to confirm that the details are still being ironed out, but it’s too late.

From Salon ● Jan. 13, 2026

“I don’t think you pronounce the bat in bat mitzvah like you say baseball bat,” Volpe interjects.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

When he suggested that there was only one more senator left to ask questions, a staffer interjected to tell him—in words picked up by the mic—that several additional senators had time to speak.

From Slate ● May 16, 2026

Mackay interjected in the latest war of words between the two, saying it was a "bit of a boring psychodrama."

From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2026

When the reporter interjected, “He started this one,” Mullin replied, “This isn’t a war.”

From Salon ● Mar. 14, 2026

When a reporter pressed Mamdani over a previous comment calling Trump a despot, the president interjected, “I’ve been called much worse than a despot, so it’s not that insulting.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 26, 2026

Bobby Gene interjected, proving he wasn’t born yesterday.

From "The Season of Styx Malone" by Kekla Magoon

But watching such interactions together, even if we are just interjecting the occasional comment as we sit shoulder-to-shoulder on the couch, makes a difference.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 11, 2025

"It's the sheer amount of time people off the playing surface are interjecting, or being asked to interject, that's making the games at times a bit of a mess."

From BBC ● Nov. 25, 2025

Schiff’s most characterful work, though, was in the Rondo finale, in which he rendered the cadenza as a grander conclusion, interjecting the “Don Giovanni” chords, then layering the overture and the concerto in clever counterpoint.

From New York Times ● Apr. 16, 2023

The kid liked to have his say, interjecting himself into nearly all family conversations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 1, 2022

Simmon listened intently, occasionally interjecting a word or two.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

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