intervene
To step in to stop trouble or help sort something out.
intervene in a sentence
- The teacher intervened before the argument over the football turned into a fight.
- Big sister had to intervene when the toddlers both grabbed the same teddy.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to intervene?
- Aignore
- Bavoid
- Cinterfere
- Dwatch
Show the answer
C: interfere. The other three mean the opposite of intervene.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to intervene?
- Ainterfere
- Binterrupt
- Cmediate
- Dignore
Show the answer
D: ignore. The other three mean nearly the same as intervene.
Words that mean something similar
interfere, interrupt, mediate
Words that mean the opposite
ignore, avoid, watch
Careful: intervene is not interfere
Intervene is stepping in to help. Interfere is getting involved where you are not wanted. Read why children mix them up.
More words about behaviour & manners
- justice: The fair treatment of people, where right is rewarded and wrong is punished.
- juvenile: To do with young people, or behaving in a childish way.
- lax: Not strict or careful enough.
- leeway: Freedom to do things in your own way or make small mistakes.
- lenient: Gentle and not strict when someone breaks a rule.
- liberty: The freedom to live, think and act as you choose.
- lure: To tempt a person or animal into going somewhere.
- meddle: To interfere in things that are not your business.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test