ENGLISH
REFERENCE

intercepted

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌɪnɝˈsɛptəd// UK //ˌɪntəsˈɛptɪd// in·ter·cept·ed

v. to stop something while it is moving from one place to another. You use this when you catch a message, a ball, or a person before they reach their destination.

v. to stop the progress or movement of something before it reaches its intended destination. Transitive verb; typically used in the passive voice when the agent is unknown or irrelevant.


SIMPLE

The goalkeeper intercepted the ball before it hit the net.

CONTEXTUAL

Security guards intercepted the package at the airport because the label was torn.

COMPLEX

Intelligence agencies intercepted the encrypted communications, allowing them to monitor the suspect's movements without his knowledge.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.

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