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

Social media companies say they are acting but their critics argue they could intervene more aggressively.

From BBC

The violence erupted when Druze militias clashed with Sunni Bedouin tribes, which prompted the government to send its forces to intervene.

From BBC

This was until Estevao intervened as the biters of early in the season were painfully bitten back.

From BBC

Local elders later intervened to mediate between the two sides, leading to an exchange of bodies aimed at containing the escalation.

From BBC

Kerry Ives stared straight ahead as the court heard how she did absolutely nothing to intervene.

From BBC

Related Words

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