to get involved in something that does not concern you, or to prevent something from happening properly
example
Too much stress can seriously interfere with your ability to perform effectively.
synonyms
intervenehinderpreventstep in
word origin — late Middle English: from Old French s'entreferir ‘strike each other’, from entre- ‘between’ + ferir (from Latin ferire ‘to strike’)
interfere, inspire, reveal, favor, spoil: meanings and examples
Learn these 5 words from Upper-Intermediate set 34. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.
interfere · verb/ˌɪn(t)ərˈfɪr/
to get involved in something that does not concern you, or to prevent something from happening properly
Too much stress can seriously interfere with your ability to perform effectively.
Synonyms: intervene, hinder, prevent, step in
Origin: late Middle English: from Old French s'entreferir ‘strike each other’, from entre- ‘between’ + ferir (from Latin ferire ‘to strike’)
inspire · verb/ɪnˈspaɪ(ə)r/
to encourage someone to do or feel something, often by your own example
She is a remarkable role model who has inspired many women with her story of starting from scratch and building the life she enjoys today.
Synonyms: influence, stimulate
Origin: Middle English enspire, from Old French inspirer, from Latin inspirare ‘breathe or blow into’ from in- ‘into’ + spirare ‘breathe’. The word was originally used of a divine or supernatural being, in the sense ‘impart a truth or idea to someone’
reveal · verb/rəˈvil/
to make something visible or known
"We are not in a position to reveal any more information at the moment since the investigation is ongoing," a police officer told the newspaper.
Synonyms: disclose, uncover, unveil
Origin: late Middle English: from Old French reveler or Latin revelare, from re- ‘again’ (expressing reversal) + velum ‘veil’
favor · verb/ˈfeɪvər/
to prefer one thing or person over another
Increasingly, consumers favor the convenience of fast food over the preparation of meals at home.
Synonyms: prefer, side with, opt for
Origin: Middle English (in the noun sense ‘liking, preference’): via Old French from Latin favor, from favere ‘show kindness to’ (related to fovere ‘cherish’)
spoil · verb/spɔɪl/
to ruin something or make it less good or less enjoyable
A major housing development will completely spoil the ambience and rural nature of the site.
Synonyms: harm, impair, damage
Origin: Middle English (in the sense ‘to plunder’): shortening of Old French espoille (noun), espoillier (verb), from Latin spoliare, from spolium ‘plunder, skin stripped from an animal’, or a shortening of despoil