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View synonyms for

interfere

[ in-ter-feer ]

verb (used without object)

interfered, interfering.
  1. to come into opposition, as one thing with another, especially with the effect of hampering action or procedure (often followed by with ):

    Constant distractions interfere with work.

  2. to take part in the affairs of others; meddle (often followed by with or in ):

    to interfere in another's life.

    Synonyms: , , ,

  3. (of things) to strike against each other, or one against another, so as to hamper or hinder action; come into physical collision.
  4. to interpose or intervene for a particular purpose.

    Synonyms:

  5. to strike one foot or leg against another in moving, as a horse.
  6. Sports.
    1. to obstruct the action of an opposing player in a way barred by the rules.
    2. Football. to run interference for a teammate carrying the ball.
  7. Physics. to cause interference.
  8. to clash; come in collision; be in opposition:

    The claims of two nations may interfere.

  9. Law. to claim earlier invention when several patent requests for the same invention are being filed.


verb phrase

  1. Chiefly British. to molest sexually.

interfere

/ ˌɪԳəˈɪə /

verb

  1. often foll by in to interpose, esp meddlesomely or unwarrantedly; intervene
  2. often foll by with to come between or in opposition; hinder; obstruct
  3. euphemistic.
    foll by with to assault sexually
  4. to strike one against the other, as a horse's legs
  5. physics to cause or produce interference
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˌԳٱˈڱ, noun
  • ˌԳٱˈڱԲ, adverb
  • ˌԳٱˈڱԲ, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • t·ڱİ noun
  • t·ڱiԲ· adverb
  • ԴDzi·ٱ·ڱiԲ adjective
  • ԴDzi·ٱ·ڱiԲ·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of interfere1

First recorded in 1520–30; inter- + -fere (from Latin ڱī “to strike”); modeled on Middle French s'entreferir
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Word History and Origins

Origin of interfere1

C16: from Old French s'entreferir to collide, from entre- inter- + ferir to strike, from Latin ڱī
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The Public Order Act the following year broadened the police's powers to manage protests and brought in new criminal offences including "locking on" to objects, causing serious disruption by tunnelling, and interfering with major infrastructure.

From

Men are "less likely to attend routine appointments and more likely to delay help-seeking until symptoms interfere with daily function," says Paul Galdas, professor of men's health at the University of York.

From

But the satellites are common enough these days that they often zip through the field of view of astronomers' telescopes, and their radio signals interfere with the signals used by those telescopes.

From

She claims the company's approach sometimes interferes in clinical decisions and makes it harder for vets to propose treatments based on pet owners' budgets.

From

In response to Thursday’s order, the Justice Department restated its view that no judges may interfere.

From

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