interpose

American  

[in-ter-pohz] / ˌɪn tərˈpoʊz /

verb (used with object)

interposed, interposing

1. to place between; cause to intervene.

   to interpose an opaque body between a light and the eye.

   Synonyms:

   inject, insinuate, insert, introduce

2. to put (a barrier, obstacle, etc.) between or in the way of.

3. to put in (a remark, question, etc.) in the midst of a conversation, discourse, or the like.

   Synonyms:

   interject

4. to bring (influence, action, etc.) to bear between parties, or on behalf of a party or person.

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verb (used without object)

interposed, interposing

1. to come between other things; assume an intervening position or relation.

2. to step in between parties at variance; mediate.

   Synonyms:

   intercede, intervene

3. to put in or make a remark by way of interruption.

   Synonyms:

   interject

interpose British  

/ ˌɪntəˈpəʊz /

verb

1. to put or place between or among other things

2. to introduce (comments, questions, etc) into a speech or conversation; interject

3. to exert or use power, influence, or action in order to alter or intervene in (a situation)

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Other Word Forms

• interposable adjective
• interposal noun
• interposer noun
• interposingly adverb
• uninterposed adjective
• uninterposing adjective

Etymology

Origin of interpose

From the Middle French word interposer, dating back to 1590–1600. See inter-, pose ¹

Example Sentences

"I’m not a Nikki fan and I’m not a Pelosi fan. And when I purposely interpose names they said, ‘He didn’t know Pelosi from Nikki from tricky Nikki, tricky Dicky."

From Salon • Feb. 15, 2024

But those who try to interpose the regime in the most personal aspects of people’s lives, including the choice of what to wear, run different kinds of risks.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 28, 2022

Washington’s diplomatic goal, although it hasn’t been stated publicly this way, is to encourage China to interpose itself between the United States and North Korea and organize negotiations to de-nuclearize the Korean Peninsula.

From Washington Post • Aug. 8, 2017

According to longstanding judicial precedent, Congress must clearly articulate its intent to interpose itself between a state and its political subdivisions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Aug. 10, 2016

The kindly inspector with the granite face must have thought he had been indulgent enough, for he stepped forward to brush away Cecilia’s hand and interpose himself.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Related Words

• arbitrate