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Intervention: meaning, definitions and examples

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intervention

 

[ˌɪn.t̬ərˈven.ʃən ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

medical

The act or fact of becoming involved in a situation to change what is happening

Synonyms

intercession, interference, involvement.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
intervention

Used when someone steps in to change or influence a situation, often to prevent or solve a problem. Typically formal and can be used in various contexts such as medical, military, or social situations.

  • The United Nations is considering an intervention to bring peace to the region
  • The doctor decided that an immediate intervention was necessary to save the patient's life
interference

Used when someone gets involved in a way that is unwanted or not helpful. This word usually carries a negative connotation, indicating a disruption or obstruction.

  • I can't work with all this interference from my boss
  • She dismissed the complaint as unwarranted interference in her private life
involvement

Used to describe when someone participates or takes part in an activity or situation. It can be either neutral or positive, depending on the context.

  • His involvement in the project was crucial to its success
  • Parents' involvement in their children's education is essential
intercession

Used in situations where someone intervenes on behalf of another person, often appealing or pleading for mercy or help. It has a more religious or moral connotation.

  • The priest offered intercession for the sick members of the congregation
  • Her intercession was the only reason he got a second chance

Examples of usage

  • Early intervention is crucial in treating many medical conditions.
  • She underwent a surgical intervention to remove the tumor.
  • The government has announced an intervention program to support small businesses.
  • The intervention of the police prevented a potential disaster.
  • The intervention of a mediator helped resolve the conflict peacefully.
Context #2 | Noun

psychology

A deliberate process of becoming involved in the life of someone who needs help, especially in order to stop them from doing something harmful

Synonyms

intercession, interference, involvement.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
intervention

This term is best used in formal or professional contexts where a planned action is taken to improve a situation, often used in politics, medicine, or social issues. It does not generally carry a negative connotation.

  • The government announced an economic intervention to stabilize the market.
  • Her intervention saved the patient's life.
interference

This word carries a negative connotation and implies unwelcome or unnecessary involvement in someone else's affairs, often resulting in negative consequences.

  • His constant interference in their relationship caused a lot of tension.
  • The manager’s interference stifled the team's creativity.
intercession

Typically used in religious or spiritual contexts. It refers to someone making a plea on behalf of another person. It is formal and often used in religious texts or discussions.

  • The priest’s intercession was believed to have healed the sick.
  • She prayed for intercession from the saints.
involvement

This is a neutral term and can be used in a variety of contexts ranging from personal to professional where someone is taking part in an activity or situation.

  • Her involvement in the project was crucial to its success.
  • He has no involvement in the criminal activities.

Examples of usage

  • The family organized an intervention for their loved one struggling with addiction.
  • The psychologist recommended an intervention to help the patient cope with their depression.
Context #3 | Noun

international relations

The action of a country using its military forces to enter another country and change its government

Synonyms

intercession, interference, involvement.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
intervention

Typically used in formal or professional settings such as healthcare, social work, or politics. It implies a planned effort to improve a situation.

  • The doctor suggested an early intervention to treat the disease
  • The government’s intervention in the economy helped stabilize the markets
interference

Carries a negative connotation and is used when someone disrupts or obstructs a situation, often unwanted or unwarranted.

  • His interference in their argument only made things worse
  • The constant interference from her colleagues made it difficult for her to complete the project
involvement

Neutral term used to describe the act of participating or being engaged in an activity or situation. It doesn’t imply judgment on the appropriateness of the participation.

  • Her involvement in the community project has been invaluable
  • They appreciated his active involvement in the team’s discussions
intercession

Often used in a religious or spiritual context where one is praying or pleading on behalf of another. It can also be used more generally to imply a form of advocacy.

  • The priest offered intercession for the sick member of the community
  • Her intercession with the landlord helped prevent the eviction

Examples of usage

  • The UN called for an intervention to stop the civil war in the region.
  • The intervention of foreign powers in the conflict escalated tensions.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'interventio', meaning 'a coming between' or 'to come between'.
  • It has been used in English since the late 15th century, primarily relating to actions that alter a situation.
  • The prefix 'inter-' means 'between', highlighting the idea of involvement from outside.

Psychology

  • Interventions are commonly used in therapy settings to help individuals overcome addiction or mental health issues.
  • Group interventions often involve family and friends working together to encourage someone to seek help.
  • Evidence-based interventions use research to guide techniques for helping people change their behaviors.

Health

  • Medical interventions can range from simple treatments like prescribing medication to complex surgeries.
  • Public health interventions aim to manage health issues at the community level, like vaccination drives.
  • The importance of early intervention in child development highlights how timely support can lead to better outcomes.

Politics

  • Intervention can also refer to a government’s involvement in the affairs of another nation to stabilize situations.
  • International interventions often aim to resolve conflicts, like peacekeeping missions from the United Nations.
  • Military interventions are controversial and can spark debates about sovereignty and ethics.

Literature and Arts

  • Intervention themes often appear in literature, highlighting how characters face crises and seek help.
  • Film narratives frequently explore interventions, showcasing dramatic moments when characters confront each other.
  • In performance arts, interventions can imply breaking the fourth wall, engaging audiences in unexpected ways.

Translations

Translations of the word "intervention" in other languages:

🇵🇹 intervenção

🇮🇳 हस्तक्षेप

🇩🇪 Intervention

🇮🇩 intervensi

🇺🇦 втручання

🇵🇱 interwencja

🇯🇵 介入 (かいにゅう)

🇫🇷 intervention

🇪🇸 intervención

🇹🇷 müdahale

🇰🇷 개입 (개입)

🇸🇦 تدخل

🇨🇿 zásah

🇸🇰 zásah

🇨🇳 干预 (干预)

🇸🇮 intervencija

🇮🇸 íhlutun

🇰🇿 араласу

🇬🇪 ჩარევა

🇦🇿 müdaxilə

🇲🇽 intervención

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,856, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.