Definition

1. Verb:
   • To get involved in a situation where one is not wanted or needed, often causing disruption or hindrance.
   • To come between things or people, creating an obstacle or preventing something from happening smoothly.
   • (Physics) To combine or act together so that waves (e.g., of light or sound) increase, decrease, or cancel each other out.

Usage

The verb "interfere" is used to describe an unwanted or obstructive involvement. It is often followed by specific prepositions that change its nuance. * Use "interfere with" when something or someone hinders a process, object, or person. * Example: Loud music interferes with my concentration. * Use "interfere in" when someone gets involved in the affairs, decisions, or problems of others, especially without being asked. * Example: He shouldn't interfere in their private arguments.

Examples

• General Use:
  • Please don't interfere; I need to handle this myself.
  • The bad weather interfered with our travel plans, causing a long delay.
• With "in":
  • The government was accused of interfering in the country's internal politics.
• With "with":
  • A weak signal interferes with the radio broadcast.
• Scientific Use:
  • The light waves interfered to create a pattern of bright and dark bands.

Advanced Usage

• "interfere with the course of justice": To do something that obstructs or prevents the proper process of law.
  • Witnesses were warned not to interfere with the course of justice.
• "without interference": Happening freely and without any obstruction.
  • The experiment must be conducted without interference from external factors.

Variants and Related Words

• Interference (noun): The action of interfering.
  • Radio interference made the broadcast difficult to hear.
  • Political interference in the judicial system is unacceptable.
• Interfering (adjective): Describing a person who tends to interfere.
  • She has an interfering neighbor who is always giving unsolicited advice.

Synonyms

• Meddle: To interfere in something that is not one's concern (often implies a petty or annoying manner).
• Intrude: To put oneself into a situation where one is not welcome or invited.
• Obstruct: To block or get in the way of.
• Hinder: To create difficulties, resulting in delay or obstruction.

Phrasal Verbs / Constructions

• Interfere with: To prevent something from happening or developing correctly; to handle or tamper with something, often causing damage.
  • You must not interfere with the emergency equipment.
• Interfere in: To involve oneself in a situation without right or invitation.
  • It's not wise to interfere in a marital dispute.

Related Idioms

• To stick/put one's oar in: (Informal idiom) To interfere or give an opinion without being asked.
  • He always has to stick his oar in during our meetings.

Verb

1. get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action, or through force or threat of force
   • Why did the U.S. not intervene earlier in WW II?
2. come between so as to be hindrance or obstacle
   • Your talking interferes with my work!