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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
One character’s storyline — that of 14-year-old character Kai (voiced by Chanel Stewart, who is transgender) underwent changes when Disney interceded and asked gender references be taken out.
—
Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2025
The court will intercede when the children are not safe.
—Jann Blackstone, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
One character’s storyline — that of 14-year-old character Kai (voiced by Chanel Stewart, who is transgender) underwent changes when Disney interceded and asked gender references be taken out.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2025
As real-life danger threatens the brave young heroes, supernatural forces will intercede in their defense.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intercede
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Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2025
The court will intercede when the children are not safe.
—Jann Blackstone, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
One character’s storyline — that of 14-year-old character Kai (voiced by Chanel Stewart, who is transgender) underwent changes when Disney interceded and asked gender references be taken out.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2025
As real-life danger threatens the brave young heroes, supernatural forces will intercede in their defense.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intercede
Cite this Entry
“Intercede.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intercede. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
intercede
verb
in·ter·cede
ˌint-ər-ˈsēd 
interceded; interceding
1
: to act as a go-between for hostile parties
2
: to plead in behalf of another
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