# intercept vs interrupt

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### intercept
*verb · IPA /ɪntəˈsɛpt/ · frequency rank #13,542*
To stop, deflect or divert (something in progress or motion).

### interrupt
*verb · IPA /ˌɪntəˈɹʌpt/ · frequency rank #12,796*
To disturb or halt (an ongoing process or action, or the person performing it) by interfering suddenly, especially by speaking.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/intercept-vs-interrupt