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intercept meaning and examples

2025-08-31

Meaning

Intercept is a verb that means:

  • To stop, seize, or interrupt someone or something before it reaches its destination.
  • To prevent something from proceeding further, often by blocking or catching it.

It can be used in both physical and abstract contexts (e.g., intercepting a pass in sports, intercepting a message, or intercepting someone on their way).

Grammar and Usage

  • Part of speech: Verb (transitive)

  • Typical patterns:

    • intercept + object
    • intercept something/someone before...

Examples of sentence structures:

  • "The police intercepted the package before it reached the criminal."
  • "The defender intercepted the ball during the match."

Common Phrases

  • intercept a message – catch or stop communication before it arrives
  • intercept a pass – stop a ball from reaching the intended player in sports
  • intercept a missile – prevent a weapon from reaching its target
  • intercept someone’s plan – block or prevent progress

Collocations

  • intercept communication/messages
  • intercept a pass/ball
  • intercept a missile/attack
  • intercept delivery/package
  • intercept suspects/criminals

Examples

  1. The police intercepted the suspect before he entered the airport.
  2. The soldier intercepted an enemy message.
  3. The defender intercepted the ball and quickly passed it to a teammate.
  4. They intercepted a shipment of illegal goods.
  5. The missile defense system intercepted the incoming rocket.
  6. She intercepted him on his way to the office to ask a question.
  7. The teacher intercepted a note being passed in class.
  8. The government intercepted the phone call for security reasons.
  • seize
  • block
  • catch
  • cut off
  • stop
  • prevent
  • interrupt