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intervention

in-ter-VEN-shun /ˌɪntərˈvenʃn/

nounB2GRESATTOEFLIELTS

FormalAcademicPolitical

The act of interfering or stepping into a situation to modify events, alter outcomes, or resolve conflict.

Implies intentional, often assertive action taken by an external authority to change an ongoing process.

The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'intervenire', literally combining 'inter-' (between) and 'venire' (to come). Historically used in legal contexts when a third party stepped into a court suit to protect its own interests, it later expanded to describe state or institutional actions.

Word relationships

intercession: 'Intercession' often implies pleading or acting on behalf of another party.
interference: 'Interference' carries a negative tone of unwanted or meddlesome intrusion.

non-interference: 'Non-interference' refers to a policy of standing back without involvement.
passivity: 'Passivity' denotes inaction and acceptance of current events.

Commonly confused with

interruption: 'Interruption' means temporarily stopping speech or action, whereas 'intervention' is action taken to change the outcome of a situation.

Word family

intervene (verb): To step in between parties or events to alter an outcome.
interventional (adjective): Relating to or involving intervention.

Collocations

government intervention
military intervention
early intervention
state intervention

Example sentences

"Central bank intervention stabilized the national currency during market turbulence." Economics
"Diplomatic intervention prevented the border dispute from escalating into military conflict." International Relations

Memory hook

INTER (between) + VENE (come): to come right between two opposing forces. Coming between forces to change the outcome.

When not to use

Do not use for routine, passive participation that does not alter the course of events.

Fun facts

In psychology and addiction medicine, an 'intervention' is a orchestrated meeting where loved ones confront someone about destructive behaviors.