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intercede

verb
in·​ter·​cede | \ ˌin-tər-ˈsēd How to pronounce intercede (audio) \
interceded; interceding

Definition of intercede

intransitive verb

: to intervene between parties with a view to reconciling differences : mediate
Other Words from intercede Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about intercede

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Other Words from intercede

interceder noun

Choose the Right Synonym for intercede

interpose, interfere, intervene, mediate, intercede mean to come or go between. interpose often implies no more than this. interposed herself between him and the door interfere implies hindering. noise interfered with my concentration intervene may imply an occurring in space or time between two things or a stepping in to stop a conflict. quarreled until the manager intervened mediate implies intervening between hostile factions. mediated between the parties intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness. interceded on our behalf

Did You Know?

The Latin cedere means "to go", so "go between" is the most literal meaning of intercede. (The same -cede root can also be seen in such words as precede and secede.) If you've been blamed unfairly for something, a friend may intercede on your behalf with your coach or teacher. More often, it will be the coach or teacher who has to intercede in a student dispute. The intercession of foreign governments has sometimes prevented conflicts from becoming worse than they otherwise would have.

Examples of intercede in a Sentence

Their argument probably would have become violent if I hadn't interceded. When the boss accused her of lying, several other employees interceded on her behalf.

Recent Examples on the Web

 Based on a story of John Smith, a Powhatan Indian stops a war between her tribe and the British by interceding with the chief, her father. — Los Angeles Times, "Movies on TV this week Sept. 1 - 7, 2019: John Wayne in ‘The Searchers’ and more," 30 Aug. 2019 As a Woodmere officer arrived on the scene at Speedway, a Cleveland man, 23, walked away from his argument with a Maple Heights woman, 19, then took off running as an Orange police officer on a nearby traffic stop interceded. — Thomas Jewell, cleveland.com, "Cops use relay team, Taser on fleeing suspect: Orange Police Blotter," 22 Aug. 2019 Members of several Catholic parishes led letter-writing campaigns to church leadership, imploring them to intercede. — Marissa J. Lang, Washington Post, "Tenants nearly lost rent-controlled apartments owned by a Catholic church. A developer found a solution.," 31 July 2019 Almena also spent considerable time on the stand asking why Oakland officials hadn’t interceded if the warehouse was so unsafe. — James Queally, latimes.com, "At Ghost Ship trial, victims’ relatives face down the man they blame for the fire," 14 July 2019 Sheen's spirit is believed to have interceded after a baby was born in 2010 and showed no signs of life after the family and friends prayed for his intervention. — Washington Post, "World Digest: July 6, 2019," 6 July 2019 Sheen is believed to have interceded after a baby was born in 2010 and showed no signs of life. — BostonGlobe.com, "Italian rescue ship docks in Italian port against ban," 6 July 2019 In response, Biden wilted, ending the exchange by practically begging the moderators to intercede. — Alex Shephard, The New Republic, "What Kamala Harris Didn’t Say," 1 July 2019 The amendments also narrowed when the state would intercede in cases where doctors had allowed children to skip some or all of the vaccinations required to attend school or daycare. — Melody Gutierrez, latimes.com, "California vaccine bill clears Assembly panel despite emotional backlash from parents," 20 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intercede.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of intercede

1597, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for intercede

Latin intercedere, from inter- + cedere to go

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More Definitions for intercede

intercede

verb
How to pronounce intercede (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of intercede

formal : to try to help settle an argument or disagreement between two or more people or groups : to speak to someone in order to defend or help another person

See the full definition for intercede in the English Language Learners Dictionary

intercede

verb
in·​ter·​cede | \ ˌin-tər-ˈsēd How to pronounce intercede (audio) \
interceded; interceding

Kids Definition of intercede

1 : to try to help settle differences between unfriendly individuals or groups I interceded to stop the argument.
2 : to plead for the needs of someone else Atkins fell upon his knees to beg the captain to intercede with the governor for his life …— Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe

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