Intervene Meaning
/ˌɪntəˈviːn/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo become involved in a situation, so as to alter or prevent an action.
verbTo occur, fall, or come between, points of time, or events.
Sentence Examples
Years intervene between the two incidents.
There may be other factors that intervene in the relation between these two constants.
They should not intervene in the internal affairs of another country.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The teacher had to ____ in the fight to stop the students from hurting each other.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The referee had to ____ to stop the game before the players' argument escalated into a fight.
Word Origin & History
Back-formation from intervention, and/or from Latin interveniō (“come between”, verb).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Nature film-makers are discouraged from intervening in the events they are attempting to capture on film."
— 2018 November 19, Aamna Mohdin, “Top film-makers back penguin intervention on Attenborough show”, in The Guardian:
"[…] 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."
— 1689 December (indicated as 1690), [John Locke], “Chapter 16”, in Two Treatises of Government: […], London: […] Awnsham Churchill, […], →OCLC, book II, page 417:
"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."
— 1794, Ann Radcliffe, chapter 4, in The Mysteries of Udolpho, volume 1, London: G.G. and J. Robinson, page 93:
"She counted the days that must intervene before their invitation could be sent; hopeless of seeing him before."
— 1813 January 27, [Jane Austen], chapter 11, in Pride and Prejudice: […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC:
"[…] he was prepared to allow long silences to intervene rather than exchange pointless words."
— 1963, John le Carré, chapter 17, in The Spy Who Came In From the Cold, New York: Coward-McCann, published 1964, page 176:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The teacher had to ____ in the fight to stop the students from hurting each other.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The referee had to ____ to stop the game before the players' argument escalated into a fight.