meddle
verb (used without object)
to involve oneself in a matter without right or invitation; interfere officiously and unwantedly.
had been meddling
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past perfect progressiveof meddle.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Many of them were of the opinion that the Kabaka had been meddling in politics to divert public attention from the previous frivolity of his personal life.
From Time Magazine Archive
They swam up the stream leisurely, and, as they rounded the bend that brought their landing-place into view, the quick eye of Piggy Pennington saw that some one had been meddling with their clothes.
From The Court of Boyville by Orson Lowell
The government of Teheran was in one of its periodical fits of ill-temper with England; had been meddling with Afghanistan, flirting badly with Russia, and bringing ridiculous charges against the British minister.
From The Marriage of William Ashe by Mrs. Humphry Ward
A minute afterwards he tidied things up again, and Jack, hearing his loud yawn, decided he could not have discovered that some one had been meddling with his petrol supply.
From Air Service Boys Flying for Victory or, Bombing the Last German Stronghold by Charles Amory Beach
Who or what was the "outfit" that had been meddling in my sorry affair?—that was to be wired when my new destination should be ascertained?
From Branded by Francis Lynde
