meddle
verb
med·dle ˈme-dᵊl 
meddled; meddling
ˈmed-liŋ,
ˈme-dᵊl-iŋ intransitive verb
: to interest oneself in what is not one's concern : interfere without right or propriety (see propriety sense 1)
I never meddle in other people's private affairs
G. B. Shaw
G. B. Shaw meddler
ˈmed-lər ˈme-dᵊl-ər
noun ˈme-dᵊl-ər 
Synonyms
- butt in
- interfere
- interlope
- intermeddle
- intrude
- mess
- muck (about or around)
- nose
- obtrude
- poke
- pry
- snoop
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
please stop meddling in your sister's marriage, even though you mean well
Recent Examples on the Web But several European governments say that now is no time to meddle with an important energy industry, with supplies of Russian gas and oil in jeopardy. Sarah Hurtes, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2022 The number of countries attempting to meddle in elections has also grown, Mr. Wray said, including an Iranian campaign in 2020 and the possibility of interference from China. David Uberti, WSJ, 19 July 2022 The Big 12 could potentially meddle here, and provide some leverage for SDSU. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 30 Aug. 2022 In particular, Nieporte called out organizers’ demand for access to journalist’s footage — something that many newsrooms would consider an attempt to meddle with coverage. Jeremy Barr, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2022 TikTok has disputed the notion that the Chinese government could nefariously meddle with American user data. Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 8 July 2022 The pope has been hesitant to directly meddle in politics since the beginning of his papacy — afraid to devolve the Holy See into a normal, secular world power. Fox News, 13 July 2022 Plus Democrats meddle in GOP primaries in Illinois and Colorado, and the Supreme Court's opinion upholding a football coach's right to pray on the field could have major implications for church and state. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 28 June 2022 Freedom of information in the West has allowed the Kremlin to meddle in elections. David Kamenetzky And Leopoldo López, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2022 See More
Sarah Hurtes, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2022 The number of countries attempting to meddle in elections has also grown, Mr. Wray said, including an Iranian campaign in 2020 and the possibility of interference from China. David Uberti, WSJ, 19 July 2022 The Big 12 could potentially meddle here, and provide some leverage for SDSU. Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 30 Aug. 2022 In particular, Nieporte called out organizers’ demand for access to journalist’s footage — something that many newsrooms would consider an attempt to meddle with coverage. Jeremy Barr, Washington Post, 16 Aug. 2022 TikTok has disputed the notion that the Chinese government could nefariously meddle with American user data. Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 8 July 2022 The pope has been hesitant to directly meddle in politics since the beginning of his papacy — afraid to devolve the Holy See into a normal, secular world power. Fox News, 13 July 2022 Plus Democrats meddle in GOP primaries in Illinois and Colorado, and the Supreme Court's opinion upholding a football coach's right to pray on the field could have major implications for church and state. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 28 June 2022 Freedom of information in the West has allowed the Kremlin to meddle in elections. David Kamenetzky And Leopoldo López, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English medlen, from Anglo-French mesler, medler, from Vulgar Latin *misculare, from Latin miscēre to mix — more at mix
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
meddle
verb
med·dle ˈme-dᵊl
meddled; meddling
: to be overly involved in someone else's business
meddlers
noun
as in intruders
a person who meddles in the affairs of others a meddler who stayed up all night watching the neighbors Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- intruders
- busybodies
- interlopers
- spies
- gossipers
- gossips
- interferers
- intermeddlers
- kibitzers
- betrayers
- informants
- informers
- snoops
- nosey parkers
- snoopers
- kibbitzers
- snakes
- gazers
- rubberneckers
- rubbernecks
- buttinskies
- gapers
- gawkers
- tattlers
- peepers
- tellers
- revealers
- tattletales
- prattlers
- priers
- gawpers
- blabbers
- disclosers
- squealers
- pryers
- quidnuncs
- sneaks
- stool pigeons
- snitchers
- telltales
- talebearers
- peeping Toms
