1
as in average
being about midway between extremes of amount or size
with a compact being too small and a van too large, we settled on an intermediate-sized sedan
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in halfway
occupying a position equally distant from the ends or extremes
although the party activists tend to back candidates with somewhat extreme views, ordinary voters generally prefer the intermediate aspirant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in intermediary
one who works with opposing sides in order to bring about an agreement
she often used her father as an intermediate in arguments with her mother
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to intervene
to act as a go-between for opposing sides
if the secretary-general chooses to intermediate in this dispute, he'll need all of his diplomatic skills just to get both sides in the same room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of intermediate
Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 22 Apr. 2026
One study of more than 1,200 men found that those with the highest stress levels had significantly lower sperm concentration and total sperm count than men with intermediate stress levels.
—Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Jake Ciely, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Whistler is known worldwide in the LGBTQ+ community for its annual Whistler Pride festival, and while the resort attracts experts and intermediates, there are enough beginner runs and après options to fill a week-long stay.
—Jonny Bierman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2026
Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Their encounter would eventually lead to a conversation intermediated by a translator, an ad hoc animation critique, and, some years later, a job on Miyazaki’s 1997 classic Princess Mononoke, which has been remastered and re-released in Imax for the first time this week.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intermediate
Adjective
The person hired will replace outgoing associate conductor Valery Saul and current Arkansas Symphony Youth Symphony conductor Gabriel Bruce, who will be taking over the intermediate-level Academy Orchestra in the fall.
—Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 22 Apr. 2026
One study of more than 1,200 men found that those with the highest stress levels had significantly lower sperm concentration and total sperm count than men with intermediate stress levels.
—Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
His intermediate throws over the middle and questionable anticipation are flagged as likely sources of interceptions, batted balls and incompletions in the NFL.
—Jake Ciely, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Whistler is known worldwide in the LGBTQ+ community for its annual Whistler Pride festival, and while the resort attracts experts and intermediates, there are enough beginner runs and après options to fill a week-long stay.
—Jonny Bierman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
Platforms that intermediate these interactions will face pressure to define where responsibility sits and how transparency is enforced.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Their encounter would eventually lead to a conversation intermediated by a translator, an ad hoc animation critique, and, some years later, a job on Miyazaki’s 1997 classic Princess Mononoke, which has been remastered and re-released in Imax for the first time this week.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intermediate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for intermediate
Adjective
-
The Lions valued Mays’ ability to anchor in pass protection, after allowing the second-fastest average time to pressure and a pass-block win rate that ranked 31st in the NFL, per ESPN.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
But prices will likely stay high simply because the supply is so low; the average price on April 15 was 30 cents higher than a month earlier, according to the American Automobile Association.—
Aaron Cantú,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Shortly after the halfway mark, the movie morphs into something closer to an unofficial three-hander.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
14 Apr. 2026
-
As the crew made it to the halfway point between the Earth and the moon, NASA shared an update at midnight on April 4.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
With this information, employers can steer employees to the best-value providers, remedy overbilling by intermediaries, and design affordable health plans with lower premiums.—
Jordan Bruneau,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The company operates on behalf of Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff, using a network of intermediaries and vessels to move sanctioned crude, with proceeds helping fund the country’s military programs and regional proxy groups.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the intervening years, the immune systems of virtually every human on the planet have developed some armor with which to fend off SARS-2, either because they have been previously infected or been vaccinated against the virus or both.—
Helen Branswell,
STAT,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Former gymnasts immediately—and accurately—saw the season’s cancellation as a death sentence, and sought ways to intervene.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Housing Impact Fund, in its third wave of fundraising, now has $102 million to acquire, renovate and rent units for families making below 30% of the area median income up to 80% AMI.—
Desiree Mathurin
April 24,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Apr. 2026
-
In 2020, Liberty Park’s median household income was about 64% of the citywide figure — roughly $20,000 less per family, according to city data from the time.—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
When the Broncos cut Greenlaw, the 49ers wasted no time in bringing him back to pair with middle linebacker Fred Warner in hopes of reviving one of the NFL’s top linebacker tandems.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The middle innings are when things tend to get inefficient for Peralta.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Iran’s foreign minister instead made two separate visits to Islamabad on the weekend, with Axios reporting that a new proposal was made to the US and conveyed through Pakistani mediators.—
Dan Strumpf,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the remarks in Saint Petersburg, where he is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, having sandwiched a trip to Oman in between visits to main mediator Pakistan over the past few days.—
April 27,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Castle shoved Avdija back before referees and players from both teams interfered.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
When officers attempted to have Michael Barrientes Vela back away, his brothers interfered.—
Gabriella Ybarra,
San Antonio Express-News,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Intermediate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/intermediate. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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