Meaning

(intransitive) To become involved in a situation, so as to alter or prevent an action. [with in].

Definitions by Sense

1. (intransitive) To become involved in a situation, so as to alter or prevent an action. [with in]
2. (intransitive) To occur, fall, or come between, points of time, or events.
3. (intransitive) To occur or act as an obstacle or delay.
4. (ambitransitive) To say (something) in the middle of a conversation or discussion between other people, or to respond to a situation involving other people.
5. (ambitransitive) To come between, or to be between, persons or things.
6. (law) In a suit to which one has not been made a party, to put forward a defense of one's interest in the subject matter.

Example Sentences

The police had to be called to intervene in the fight.

Nature film-makers are discouraged from intervening in the events they are attempting to capture on film.

An instant intervened between the flash and the report.

I hadn't seen him since we were in school, and the intervening years had not been kind to him.

[…] it is plain, that shaking off a Power, which Force, and not Right, hath set over any one, though it hath the Name of Rebellion; yet is no Offence before God, but that which he allows and countenances, though even Promises and Covenants, when obtain’d by force, have intervened.

Even sad vicissitude amus’d his soul; And if a sigh would sometimes intervene, And down his cheek a tear of pity roll, A sigh, a tear, so sweet, he wish’d not to controul.

She counted the days that must intervene before their invitation could be sent; hopeless of seeing him before.

[…] he was prepared to allow long silences to intervene rather than exchange pointless words.

Word Forms

• intervenes
• intervening
• intervened

Synonyms for intervene

Related Words

When Should You Use Intervene?

Use intervene when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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