Interfere Meaning
Interfere Definition & Usage
To become involved in something, especially in a way that hinders or disrupts it.
Examples
- "She always interferes in my personal life, even when I ask her not to."
- "The teacher told the students not to interfere while their classmates were presenting."
- "I think the government shouldn't interfere with how businesses operate."
- "He attempted to interfere with the investigation, which resulted in legal consequences."
- "Parents sometimes interfere too much in their children's decisions."
To influence the progress or outcome of a process, typically in a way that disrupts its natural or intended course (in scientific contexts).
Examples
- "The radio signal was interfered with by a storm, making it difficult to listen to the broadcast."
- "We need to find a way to prevent interference in the electrical circuit."
- "The scientist explained that particles can interfere with each other in quantum mechanics."
- "The sound waves from the two sources were interfering, causing static."
- "Static on the phone call was likely due to interference from nearby electronics."
Cultural Context
'Interfere' is often used in contexts where actions or behaviors disrupt or hinder progress. It is commonly employed in both everyday life and technical fields like physics and electronics. Its negative connotation in general usage makes it a warning against unwanted intrusion.
The Unwanted Interference
Story
The Unwanted Interference
It was a quiet afternoon in the office when Sarah and John were discussing the final details of their upcoming presentation. John was going over the slide deck one last time when Jane, their colleague from another department, walked over. Without waiting for an invitation, she began offering unsolicited advice, much of which wasn’t even relevant to the presentation. 'I think you should rephrase that part, it’s a bit too complex for the audience,' Jane interrupted, even though she had no understanding of the project’s technicalities. Sarah shot John a glance, silently acknowledging their mutual frustration with Jane’s constant interference. They had both been working hard to prepare the presentation, and Jane’s interruptions were only making it harder for them to focus. 'Maybe we should just let her have her say,' John suggested, but Sarah wasn’t convinced. 'No, we can’t let her interfere like this every time we try to work.' Later that day, the project lead called a meeting. John, Sarah, and Jane gathered in the conference room. The conversation turned to upcoming deadlines, and Jane once again tried to insert herself into discussions about tasks she was not assigned to. John finally spoke up, 'Jane, I think we need to discuss the roles more clearly. Your contributions are welcome, but there’s a line between helping and interfering.' As the meeting ended, Sarah couldn’t help but smile. Sometimes, the best way to deal with unwanted interference was to set clear boundaries. It wasn’t just about Jane; it was about finding the balance between collaboration and respecting personal space.
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