Word
intervention
Meanings
the act of becoming involved in a situation in order to change it or prevent something bad from happening
official action by an organization or government to influence events or solve a problem
a structured effort to persuade someone to change harmful behavior, often with support from family or professionals
Definition
Intervention is the act of stepping in to change a situation or prevent harm.
An intervention is an action taken by someone outside a situation to influence what happens next. It is often done to stop a problem from getting worse, resolve a conflict, or improve outcomes. Interventions can be informal, like a manager stepping in, or formal, like a government program or emergency response.
Examples
- The mediator’s timely intervention stopped the negotiation from collapsing at the last minute.
- After you requested an intervention, the team lead clarified roles and reduced the tension in the group.
- His intervention during the meeting redirected the discussion toward evidence rather than opinions.
- The city announced an intervention to stabilize the transport network after repeated service failures.
- Their intervention was carefully planned, and it focused on support rather than blame.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse intervention (stepping in to change events) with interference (unwanted involvement), which usually has a negative tone.
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