1 interpose | Definition of interpose
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interpose

verb
in·​ter·​pose | \ ˌin-tər-ˈpōz How to pronounce interpose (audio) \
interposed; interposing

Definition of interpose

transitive verb

1a : to place in an intervening position
b : to put (oneself) between : intrude
2 : to put forth by way of interference or intervention
3 : to introduce or throw in between the parts of a conversation or argument

intransitive verb

1 : to be or come between
2 : to step in between parties at variance : intervene
3 : interrupt
Other Words from interpose Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about interpose

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Other Words from interpose

interposer noun

Choose the Right Synonym for interpose

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

synonyms see in addition introduce

Examples of interpose in a Sentence

The new system has interposed a bureaucratic barrier between doctors and patients. He tried to interpose himself between the people who were fighting. Please allow me to interpose a brief observation.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Then an older rancher with a graying mustache and ruddy cheeks interposed himself between Vardaman and the protester who had interrupted her. — Ingfei Chen, The New Yorker, "The Persuasive Power of the Wolf Lady," 29 May 2019 Through positive reinforcement -- with a barrier interposed -- cassowaries can also be trained to come to keepers for checkups. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "‘Roos, geese, and a blue-tongued lizard: Behind the scenes at San Diego Zoo Safari Park," 8 June 2019 Even without Valezuela present, their routine would echo that of Los Altos High’s Camp Diversity: long days and nights of intense sessions leading to tears and confessions, interposed with icebreaker games and rousing camp cheers. — San Francisco Chronicle, "A Retreat’s Risky Lessons," 14 June 2018 All of this is interposed with video of Sondheim talking to Lapine about his life and career and the songs, along with historical footage. — Mark Swed, latimes.com, "‘Sondheim on Sondheim’: A Broadway baby in symphonic clothes," 24 July 2017 By interposing her own stories among Austen’s, changing heroines and making mischief, Aiken forces us to see what Austen made her own heroines see: themselves from another perspective. — Lizzie Skurnick, New York Times, "Joan Aiken’s Spinoffs and Sequels Finish the Stories Jane Austen Never Told," 14 July 2017 If Trump insists on interposing himself between Congress and their search for the facts, Congress should consider appointing a special prosecutor to make sure the job gets done. — Mattathias Schwartz, The Intercept, "Why Donald Trump is Scared of Sally Yates," 8 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'interpose.' 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 interpose

1582, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

History and Etymology for interpose

Middle French interposer, from Latin interponere (perfect indicative interposui), from inter- + ponere to put — more at position

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More Definitions for interpose

interpose

verb
How to pronounce interpose (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of interpose

formal
: to place (someone or something) between two or more things or people
: to interrupt a conversation with (a comment)

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

interpose

verb
in·​ter·​pose | \ ˌin-tər-ˈpōz How to pronounce interpose (audio) \
interposed; interposing

Kids Definition of interpose

1 : to put between two or more things He interposed himself between the fighting boys.
2 : to introduce between parts of a conversation May I interpose a question?

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More from Merriam-Webster on interpose

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with interpose

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for interpose

Spanish Central: Translation of interpose

Nglish: Translation of interpose for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of interpose for Arabic Speakers

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