interference
6 synonyms and 1 antonyms for interference, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The act of interfering with, or disrupting, something.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use interference
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From interfere plus the suffix -ence; the physics sense was popularized by the scientist Thomas Young around 1801.
Full origin of interference →Frequently asked questions
What does “interference” mean?
The word “interference” means the act of interfering with, or disrupting, something. In plain terms, unwanted disruption — whether someone meddling, a garbled signal, or overlapping waves in physics.
How do you pronounce “interference”?
“Interference” is pronounced ihn-tuh-FEER-ruhns (/ˌɪntəɹˈfɪɹɪns/ in IPA).
How do you use “interference” in a sentence?
Here is “interference” used in a sentence: “The team complained about political interference in the investigation.”
What is the opposite of “interference”?
The opposite of “interference” — its antonyms — is noninterference.
What part of speech is “interference”?
“Interference” is a noun.
Where does the word “interference” come from?
The word “interference” dates back to around 1801. From interfere plus the suffix -ence; the physics sense was popularized by the scientist Thomas Young around 1801.
Is “interference” a common word?
“Interference” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “interference” have?
“Interference” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of interfering with, or disrupting, something.
What is the difference between interference and intervention?
'Interference' usually carries a negative sense of meddling or disrupting something uninvited, while 'intervention' suggests a deliberate, often helpful act of stepping in to change an outcome. Intervention is frequently welcome; interference rarely is.
What is interference in physics?
In physics, 'interference' is the effect produced when overlapping waves combine, either reinforcing each other (constructive) or cancelling out (destructive). It is a central concept in the study of light and sound.
What causes interference on a radio or TV signal?
In this sense, 'interference' is unwanted noise or distortion affecting a signal. It can be caused by other electronic devices, physical obstacles, or competing signals disrupting the intended transmission.
What prepositions are used with interference?
'Interference' is typically followed by 'with', as in 'interference with the signal', or 'in', as in 'interference in someone's affairs'. 'In' tends to describe meddling, while 'with' often describes disruption.