intercept
verb (used with object)
to take, seize, or halt (someone or something on the way from one place to another); cut off from an intended destination.
were intercepting
-
past progressiveof intercept.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Emirati defence ministry later said its air defence systems were intercepting a wave of Iranian drones and missiles, without specifying where in the Gulf nation.
From Barron's ● Mar. 16, 2026
The Las Vegas agents found an answer in the cellphone calls they were intercepting: a group that called itself “the H’s,” after Héctor Beltrán, who was known as El H, or “the H.”
From New York Times ● Dec. 8, 2022
Mitsotakis said authorities were "intercepting" boats at sea in accordance with European Union regulations and had granted asylum to 50,000 people, including "tens of thousands of Afghans."
From Reuters ● Nov. 9, 2021
Although Sondheim didn’t perform himself, most tributes ended with a “Happy Birthday, Steve”—or sometimes “Mr. Sondheim,” or even “sir”—as if we were intercepting a personal transmission from one artist to another.
From Slate ● Apr. 27, 2020
A.T.F. informants and agents were intercepting some of the guns in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, raising alarms within the bureau.
From The New Yorker ● Feb. 7, 2019
