MEDIATE Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'mediate' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of mediate are intercede , interfere , interpose , and intervene . While all these words mean "to come or go between," mediate implies intervening between hostile factions. // mediated between the parties

Q: When could 'intercede' be used to replace 'mediate'?

The words intercede and mediate can be used in similar contexts, but intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness. // interceded on our behalf

Q: When would 'interfere' be a good substitute for 'mediate'?

The synonyms interfere and mediate are sometimes interchangeable, but interfere implies hindering. // noise interfered with my concentration

Q: When is it sensible to use 'interpose' instead of 'mediate'?

Although the words interpose and mediate have much in common, interpose often implies no more than this. // interposed herself between him and the door

Q: When can 'intervene' be used instead of 'mediate'?

While the synonyms intervene and mediate are close in meaning, 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 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmē-dē-ət

Definition of mediate

as in halfway

occupying a position equally distant from the ends or extremes has a black-and-white view of human nature, believing that there is no mediate state between good and evil

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mediate

2 of 2

verb

ˈmē-dē-ˌāt

as in to intervene

to act as a go-between for opposing sides their middle child is often asked to mediate between the oldest and the youngest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word mediate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of mediate are intercede, interfere, interpose, and intervene. While all these words mean "to come or go between," mediate implies intervening between hostile factions.

mediated between the parties

When could intercede be used to replace mediate?

The words intercede and mediate can be used in similar contexts, but intercede implies acting for an offender in begging mercy or forgiveness.

interceded on our behalf

When would interfere be a good substitute for mediate?

The synonyms interfere and mediate are sometimes interchangeable, but interfere implies hindering.

noise interfered with my concentration

When is it sensible to use interpose instead of mediate?

Although the words interpose and mediate have much in common, interpose often implies no more than this.

interposed herself between him and the door

When can intervene be used instead of mediate?

While the synonyms intervene and mediate are close in meaning, 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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of mediate

Adjective

Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who had been helping mediate talks, said negotiations were ongoing and making progress. — Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 7 Mar. 2026 His involvement with Habitat for Humanity, and his work around the world to eradicate disease, mediate conflict and monitor elections all give testament to a godly life lived well. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 1 Jan. 2026

Verb

The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, the body that is supposed to mediate maritime disputes, is slow and lacks an enforcement mechanism. — Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026 It was spearheaded by the United States and Britain and was an attempt to mediate a solution between the Rhodesian government and Black nationalist leaders. — Chinatsu Tsuji, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mediate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mediate

Adjective

The 24-year-old, like Gordon, who replaced him in the second half, offered energetic pressing, even sprinting from close to the halfway line to close down the goalkeeper at one point.

— Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
The 26-year-old information technology administrator consumed a Red Bull energy drink around the film's halfway mark to stay alert.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 25 July 2026

Definition of halfway

Verb

The automakers also object to the government interfering in parts of the design that don’t improve the safety of the vehicle, saying a radio is different from seat belts and airbags.

— Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2026
The Vatican typically allows criminal investigations to play out before initiating canonical trials so as not to interfere, and that is especially so now in Australia, after the church's wretched legacy there of abuse and cover-up.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of interfere

Adjective

The new rules also call for closer regulation of intermediary agencies that assist people with leaving China, and task them with reporting anyone who tries to exit unlawfully.

— Ann Scott Tyson, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep. 2026
Beer distribution—the highly lucrative and highly protected intermediary industry between brewers and bars—is one.

— John Lanchester, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of intermediary

Adjective

For the Sk8-Hi, the upper’s medial side hosts both the full Dodgers script and the LA logo, the latter of which repeats at the top of the heel.

— Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
The operation is a grafting procedure in which doctors take tendons from another part of the body – the forearm, hamstring, hip or knee – and replace the medial ligament in the elbow with the grafted portion.

— Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of medial

Adjective

The gift targets kids ages 11 to 17 in lower-income areas, with extra emphasis on those near the couple’s central Texas home.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
For Netanyahu and his far-right government, the immiseration of Gaza is not ancillary but central to Israel’s strategy.

— KHALED ELGINDY, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of central

Adjective

Meet the new power couple—but there’s a catch DINKs have long been the couple to envy on paper, with a median household income of $193,900, compared with $151,900 for dual-income couples with kids, per Pew Research Center.

— Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Circana found that the median little treat costs $5, and the median price of consumers’ most expensive little treat is $10.

— Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of median

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“Mediate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mediate. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of mediate

adjective

verb

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