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intermediary

intermediary

35 6.8
A person or group who helps different sides agree
  • noun
  • /ˌɪntərˈmiːdiˌɛri/
translation icon : intermediario
  • The Reverend serves as an intermediary between the gangs to prevent violence.
  • act as an intermediary
  • serve as an intermediary
  • an intermediary role

I'm not sure in every circumstance a central intermediary is necessarily so bad.

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Examples

  • We are the intermediaries who bring this wonderful experience to our students and our audiences.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Their job is to be the intermediary between you and getting all of your requests.

  • The financial sector acts as an intermediary between the mousetrap man and the rest of the economy.

    Academic text (1991)
  • He's used as an intermediary between Charles and Diana when their marriage was in trouble.

  • A nongovernment organization played a key role in monitoring and acted as an intermediary between the ASNF and environmental groups.

    Academic text (2017)
  • And that whole system relies on all parties trusting that the intermediaries will act with fairness, honesty and within the law.

  • Last February, the British government began using intermediaries to hold secret talks with the IRA.

  • Representing the family, Paul had acted as an intermediary with the Indian police during the negotiations.

Synonyms

mediator
vsintermediary
45 4.0

A person who helps two people or groups reach an agreement without taking sides

focuses more on linking parties and fostering mutual understanding
middleman
vsintermediary
27 3.9

A person who helps others meet or agree on a deal

focuses more on resolving differences and building mutual understanding
go-between
vsintermediary
11 4.9

A person who passes messages and helps two people or groups agree

emphasizes a stable link and helping parties reach agreement and understanding
intercessor
vsintermediary
2 8.8

A person who helps two people or groups agree

is neutral linking that aims to help both sides understand each other
intermediator
vsintermediary
1 7.7

A person who helps two sides talk and reach an agreement

is the same idea but uses a more common or standard form
middlewoman
vsintermediary
6.5

A woman who helps arrange deals or introductions between people

has the same transactional role but uses the non-gendered or neutral term
interposer
vsintermediary
8.4

A person who helps two sides in a dispute to find a solution

aims to link parties neutrally to help agreement rather than interrupting

How Mediating

arbitrator
  • Specialized
19 6.7
peacemaker
23 3.7
mediator
45 4.0
intermediary
35 6.8
go-between
11 4.9

Surface Forms

intermediary singular

Morphology

intermediary = intermediate (semi-transparent) = inter + medi + ary

The base 'intermediate' is clear, but the specific role of a mediator is a specialized meaning.

Etymology

The word intermediary comes from Latin parts inter- 'between' and medius 'middle', like the word medium. So an intermediary is someone who stands 'in the middle' to help two people or groups talk and reach an agreement.