interfere

verb

in·​ter·​fere ˌin-tər-ˈfir 

ˌin-tə-

interfered; interfering

intransitive verb

1

: to enter into or take a part in the concerns of others

2

: to interpose in a way that hinders or impedes : come into collision or be in opposition

3

: to strike one foot against the opposite foot or ankle in walking or running

—used especially of horses

4

: to act reciprocally so as to augment, diminish, or otherwise affect one another

—used of waves

interferer noun

Synonyms

• butt in
• interlope
• intermeddle
• intrude
• meddle
• mess
• muck (about or around)
• nose
• obtrude
• poke
• pry
• snoop

Choose the Right Synonym for interfere

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

Examples of interfere in a Sentence

I tried to offer advice without interfering.

a strong resentment of outsiders who attempted to interfere with their traditional ways of doing things

Recent Examples on the Web

Who Makes the Best of Things Days later, after a two-hour private meeting with Mr. Putin in Helsinki, Mr. Trump repeated the Russian leader’s assertion that Moscow had not interfered in Mr. Trump’s favor in the election. —Paul Sonne, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025

Ukraine hosting an election also raises the concern that Russia could interfere in the poll and install a pro-Kremlin leader who would be more amenable to Moscow's terms to end the war. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025

That owner picks the person to lead team ops and doesn’t interfere. —Arthur Staple, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025

When in use, the back-corner USB-C ports could prevent the laptop from opening fully, depending on the size of the cable plugged in, though HP’s own charging cable doesn't interfere. —PCMAG, 16 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enterferen, from Anglo-French (s')entreferir to strike one another, from entre- inter- + ferir to strike, from Latin ferire — more at bore

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing interfere

• interfere with

Kids Definition

interfere

verb

in·​ter·​fere ˌint-ə(r)-ˈfi(ə)r 

interfered; interfering

1

: to come in collision or be in opposition : clash

his arrival interfered with our plans

2

: to take part in the concerns of others

don't interfere with our negotiations

3

: to act on one another

interfering light waves

interferer noun

Medical Definition

interfere

intransitive verb

in·​ter·​fere ˌint-ə(r)-ˈfi(ə)r 

interfered; interfering

1

: to strike one foot against the opposite foot or ankle in walking or running

—used especially of horses

2

: to act reciprocally so as to augment, diminish, or otherwise affect one another

—used of waves

3

: to be inconsistent with and disturb the performance of previously learned behavior

Legal Definition

interfere

intransitive verb

in·​ter·​fere

interfered; interfering

1

: to act in a way that impedes or obstructs others

2

: to enter into the concerns of others