1
as in average
being about midway between extremes of amount or size
with a compact being too small and a van too large, we settled on an intermediate-sized sedan
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in halfway
occupying a position equally distant from the ends or extremes
although the party activists tend to back candidates with somewhat extreme views, ordinary voters generally prefer the intermediate aspirant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in intermediary
one who works with opposing sides in order to bring about an agreement
she often used her father as an intermediate in arguments with her mother
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to intervene
to act as a go-between for opposing sides
if the secretary-general chooses to intermediate in this dispute, he'll need all of his diplomatic skills just to get both sides in the same room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 intermediate
Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 5 July 2025
Although the majority of them are best for intermediate climbers (the difficulty grade ranges between 5.10–5.12), there are a few easier options for those newer to the sport.
—Jessie Beck, AFAR Media, 1 July 2025
Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
Some astrophysicists theorize that intermediates are leftovers from the first black holes formed in the early Universe, as well as the seeds of supermassive ones.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2025
According to a Goldman Sachs note this month, if alternative allocations rose to about 15% of assets intermediated by advisors, the total addressable market would reach roughly $5 trillion.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intermediate
Adjective
According to that case, a law that targets conduct rather than speech is subject to a lower level of review, called intermediate scrutiny.
—Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 5 July 2025
Although the majority of them are best for intermediate climbers (the difficulty grade ranges between 5.10–5.12), there are a few easier options for those newer to the sport.
—Jessie Beck, AFAR Media, 1 July 2025
Noun
That rain saw both Norris and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri slide off the circuit, but Norris was able to regain control of his car and immediately duck into the pits to swap his slicks for intermediates.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
Some astrophysicists theorize that intermediates are leftovers from the first black holes formed in the early Universe, as well as the seeds of supermassive ones.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
Their encounter would eventually lead to a conversation intermediated by a translator, an ad hoc animation critique, and, some years later, a job on Miyazaki’s 1997 classic Princess Mononoke, which has been remastered and re-released in Imax for the first time this week.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2025
According to a Goldman Sachs note this month, if alternative allocations rose to about 15% of assets intermediated by advisors, the total addressable market would reach roughly $5 trillion.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intermediate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intermediate
Adjective
-
The average length of care per month jumped from roughly two months in December 2024 to more than five months by May 2025, according to HHS data.—
Nicol León,
AZCentral.com,
22 July 2025
-
The average American adult uses about 12 personal care products a day, Consumer Reports says, resulting in exposure to an average of 168 chemicals.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
21 July 2025
Adjective
-
The expansion team has exceeded expectations and is in contention to make the playoffs at the halfway point largely due to Thornton’s career year.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
18 July 2025
-
The Gilded Age Season 3 reached its halfway point Sunday night with a big episode centered around Gladys’ (Taissa Farmiga) wedding to The Duke of Buckingham (Ben Lamb), and key in the lead-up to the nuptials is the arrival of Merritt Wever’s character Monica O’Brien.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
Adding China as an intermediary during negotiations, however, might sway the outcome of current and ongoing diplomatic discussions.—
Mark Temnycky,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
-
Meanwhile, an intermediary for the Real Estate Board of New York contributed $3,100 on the group’s behalf through several donors.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
Ideally, complications are minimized by using conscious sedation for the shortest time period possible and ensuring a qualified healthcare provider, trained in recognizing complications and able to intervene rapidly, oversees the conscious sedation.—
Pamela Assid,
Verywell Health,
21 July 2025
-
Faith leaders ‘can move the needle’ One advocacy group, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, took steps last week to reverse the decision in the lawsuit by filing a motion to intervene.—
Lauren Costantino
Updated July 20,
Miami Herald,
20 July 2025
Adjective
-
The median overtime pay for those rangers was $567.—
Maritza Dominguez,
AZCentral.com,
24 July 2025
-
The median education debt for indebted medical students is around $200,000, with most repayment plans lasting 10 to 20 years.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
While on the road - Opt for the middle lanes and remain on higher ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 July 2025
-
While driving - Stick to the middle lanes and stay on elevated ground.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT
Updated July 14,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Negotiations to secure a 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas seem to have hit an impasse amid hopes from top mediators, including President Donald Trump’s Middle East Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, that a deal can be reached soon.—
Caitlin McFall,
FOXNews.com,
13 July 2025
-
And that then triggers these cells, called the mast cells, to release all these inflammatory mediators, like histamine and other kinds of mediators, like nutrients, which can have profound effects.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
Nevertheless, the Obama administration ordered a new intelligence assessment claiming that Russia had interfered in the election to aid then-candidate Donald Trump.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
25 July 2025
-
Russia attempted to interfere in the 2016 presidential election in favor of Trump, according to former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's 2019 final report and a 2020 bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee assessment.—
Sudiksha Kochi,
USA Today,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Intermediate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intermediate. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share