Intercessor: meaning, definitions and examples

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intercessor

 

[ ˌɪntəˈsɛsər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

religious

A person who intervenes on behalf of another, especially in prayer.

Synonyms

advocate, go-between, mediator.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
intercessor

Used when referring to someone who pleads on behalf of another person, often in spiritual or religious contexts.

  • The priest acted as an intercessor for the congregation's prayers
  • The saint is known to be an intercessor for those in need
mediator

Often used in conflict resolution scenarios, both formal and informal, where a neutral third party helps disputing parties reach an agreement.

  • The mediator helped the couple settle their divorce amicably
  • During the negotiations, an experienced mediator was brought in to facilitate dialogue
advocate

Commonly used in legal contexts or when someone actively supports or argues for a cause or person.

  • She is a fierce advocate for children's rights
  • The lawyer was appointed as an advocate for the defendant
go-between

Typically used in informal or casual situations to describe someone who conveys messages between two parties, often to avoid direct confrontation.

  • He acted as a go-between for his friends who were not speaking to each other
  • The secretary served as a go-between for the CEO and the employees

Examples of usage

  • The priest acted as an intercessor for the congregation during the service.
  • She saw herself as an intercessor between the people and the divine.
Context #2 | Noun

legal

A person who acts as a mediator or arbitrator in a dispute.

Synonyms

arbiter, conciliator, negotiator.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
intercessor

Used in situations where someone intervenes on behalf of another person, often in a religious or spiritual context.

  • The priest acted as an intercessor, praying for the community’s well-being
  • They sought an intercessor to mediate their requests to the higher authorities
arbiter

Commonly used in legal or formal disputes where an official and neutral party is needed to make a final decision.

  • The judge served as the arbiter in the contractual dispute
  • In sports, the referee is often seen as the ultimate arbiter of the game
negotiator

Used in contexts where discussions are held to reach an agreement or compromise, often in business or diplomatic scenarios.

  • She proved to be a skilled negotiator during the trade talks
  • The union appointed a negotiator to discuss workers' rights with the management
conciliator

Applies in settings where there’s a need to restore friendly relations or mediate to bring about a peaceful resolution.

  • The conciliator worked tirelessly to resolve the conflict between the two countries
  • In the workplace, he acted as a conciliator to ease tensions between the employees

Examples of usage

  • The lawyer served as an intercessor in the negotiation between the two parties.
  • The judge appointed an intercessor to help resolve the conflict.

Translations

Translations of the word "intercessor" in other languages:

🇵🇹 intercessor

🇮🇳 मध्यस्थ

🇩🇪 Fürsprecher

🇮🇩 pengantara

🇺🇦 посередник

🇵🇱 orzędownik

🇯🇵 仲介者

🇫🇷 intercesseur

🇪🇸 intercesor

🇹🇷 aracı

🇰🇷 중재자

🇸🇦 وسيط

🇨🇿 prostředník

🇸🇰 prostredník

🇨🇳 调解人

🇸🇮 posrednik

🇮🇸 milligöngumaður

🇰🇿 делдал

🇬🇪 მოსარჩლე

🇦🇿 vasitəçi

🇲🇽 intercesor

Etymology

The word 'intercessor' has its origins in Latin, derived from the verb 'intercedere', which means 'to go between'. It has been used in religious contexts for centuries, referring to someone who intercedes on behalf of others in prayer. Over time, the term has also been adopted in legal settings to describe someone who mediates or arbitrates in disputes.

See also: intercession.