What does intercede mean?
Intercede means to step in on someone’s behalf, usually by appealing to someone more powerful or by trying to persuade them to show restraint, offer assistance, or change a decision. The word is especially common in formal contexts involving diplomats, religious leaders, advocates, or public figures: someone may “intercede with” an authority, “intercede for” another person, or “intercede on behalf of” someone who cannot speak for themselves. In a second sense, intercede can mean to mediate or intervene in a dispute. Its distinctive feature is the emphasis on advocacy for another person rather than simply taking part in an event. The term is more formal than “intervene” and is often associated with an appeal that may succeed, though it does not guarantee that it will. Its Latin roots also connect it to words such as “cede,” “concede,” and “proceed.”
To appeal to a person or authority on someone’s behalf, especially to request mercy, assistance, or a change in treatment.
"A respected community leader interceded with officials on the family’s behalf."
This is the dominant sense. It is formal and commonly takes “with,” “for,” or “on behalf of.”
To step in or mediate between parties, especially to resolve a conflict or avert a harmful outcome.
"The council interceded between the disputing communities and eventually secured an agreement."
This sense overlaps with “intervene” and is somewhat less common than the sense of appealing on another person’s behalf.
To intercede is to step into someone else’s story and speak on their behalf before it ends.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does intercede come from?
The verb comes from Latin intercedere, formed from inter-, meaning “between” or “among,” and cedere, meaning “to go” or “to yield.” In Latin it developed the sense of coming between parties or intervening on someone’s behalf. English borrowed the word in the 17th century, and it belongs to a family that includes “cede,” “concede,” “precede,” “proceed,” and “recede.”
Related word forms
How intercede is actually used
The word is formal and often implies a request to a person or institution with the power to act. It carries a somewhat elevated tone and is less common in everyday speech than “intervene” or “ask someone to help.”
Easily confused with intercede
Intercede usually involves making an appeal or request on another person’s behalf, whereas intervene more broadly means to enter or become involved in a situation, often to change its course.