Definition of INTERVENE

intervene

Meanings

Verb

  • get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action, or through force or threat of force
    • "Why did the U.S. not intervene earlier in WW II?"
  • be placed or located between other things or extend between spaces and events
    • "This interludes intervenes between the two movements"
    • "Eight days intervened"
  • occur between other event or between certain points of time
    • "the war intervened between the birth of her two children"
  • To become involved in a situation, so as to alter or prevent an action.
  • To occur, fall, or come between, points of time, or events.
  • To occur or act as an obstacle or delay.
  • To say (something) in the middle of a conversation or discussion between other people, or to respond to a situation involving other people.
  • To come between, or to be between, persons or things.
  • 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.

Origin / Etymology

Back-formation from intervention, and/or from Latin interveniō (“come between”, verb).

Synonyms

interfere, interpose, interrupt, step in

Scrabble Score: 12

intervene is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
intervene is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
intervene is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 15

intervene is a valid Words With Friends word