intervene

[in-ter-veen]

verb (used without object)

intervened, intervening 

1. to come between disputing people, groups, etc.; intercede; mediate.

   Synonyms: interpose, arbitrate

2. to occur or be between two things.

3. to occur or happen between other events or periods.

   Nothing important intervened between the meetings.

4. (of things) to occur incidentally so as to modify or hinder.

   We enjoyed the picnic until a thunderstorm intervened.

5. to interfere with force or a threat of force.

   to intervene in the affairs of another country.

6. Law.,  to interpose and become a party to a suit pending between other parties.

intervene

/ ˌɪntəˈviːn /

verb

1. (often foll by in) to take a decisive or intrusive role (in) in order to modify or determine events or their outcome

2. to come or be (among or between)

3. (of a period of time) to occur between events or points in time

4. (of an event) to disturb or hinder a course of action

5. economics to take action to affect the market forces of an economy, esp to maintain the stability of a currency

6. law to interpose and become a party to a legal action between others, esp in order to protect one's interests

Other Word Forms

• reintervene verb (used without object)
• unintervening adjective
• intervener noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of intervene¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin intervenīre “to come between,” from inter- inter- + venīre “to come”; basis, come

Word History and Origins

Origin of intervene¹

C16: from Latin intervenīre to come between, from _inter- + venīre to come

Example Sentences

After Nawat called for security to intervene, Bosch staged a walkout flanked by Miss Iraq.

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Baradar warned traders that Kabul would not intervene if they kept relying on Pakistan.

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The five-person panel voted three to two that the on-field decision to disallow the goal was incorrect but also found that VAR was correct not to intervene.

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The row between Japan and China was triggered by new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting this month that Tokyo could intervene militarily in any attack on Taiwan.

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Behind the scenes, the White House intervened on their behalf.

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Related Words

• arbitrate 
• intercede 
• interfere 
• involve 
• meddle 
• negotiate