meddle

[ med-l ]

/ ˈmɛd l /

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See synonyms for: meddle / meddling / meddler on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), med·dled, med·dling.

to involve oneself in a matter without right or invitation; interfere officiously and unwantedly: Stop meddling in my personal life!

OTHER WORDS FOR meddle

intervene, intrude, pry.

See synonyms for meddle on Thesaurus.com

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of meddle

1250–1300; Middle English medlen<Old French me(s)dler, variant of mesler (French mêler) <Vulgar Latin *misculāre, frequentative of Latin miscēre to mix

OTHER WORDS FROM meddle

meddler, nounmed·dling·ly, adverbo·ver·med·dle, verb (used without object), o·ver·med·dled, o·ver·med·dling.un·med·dled, adjective

un·med·dling, adjectiveun·med·dling·ly, adverb

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH meddle

medal, meddle , metal, mettle

Words nearby meddle

Medal of Bravery, Medal of Honor, medal play, Medan, Medawar, meddle, meddlesome, Mede, Medea, Medellín, medevac

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use meddle in a sentence

Instead we’ll have to settle for applying that template forward to all future attempts to meddle.
Carolyn Hax: They’re in their 40s now, but one sister still says she’s the other’s ‘co-parent’|Carolyn Hax|August 26, 2021|Washington Post
The California League of Conservation Voters, a group that began in the 1970s and meddles mostly in state politics, is accusing San Diego Sens.
Sacramento Report: SB 9 Still Alive, But Its Impact Might Be Limited|Voice of San Diego|August 20, 2021|Voice of San Diego
The UK’s power to meddle in Google’s global business model stems from a chorus of complaints from Google’s competitors in the ad industry.
There’s only one body standing in the way of Google’s plan to kill third-party cookies|Nicolás Rivero|June 12, 2021|Quartz
They feature incredibly stylish kids roaming in nature, free from the shackles of meddling parents, and happily cooking everything from bananas to fish over open flames.
‘Wild Child’ Is a Perfect Cookbook for Family Campouts|Heather Greenwood Davis|May 30, 2021|Outside Online

As a result, the charter limited the mayor’s direct power over the police department and removed politicians from meddling in officer discipline.
The hidden obstacle to police accountability|Max Felker-Kantor|April 16, 2021|Washington Post
Clearly poverty is not the only reason state reps are attempting to meddle with marriage laws.
Oklahoma Politicians Will Save Your Broken Marriage|Lizzie Crocker|January 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the past, McCarthy refused to meddle in the film versions of his work.
‘The Counselor’ & How Cormac McCarthy Beat the Hollywood Curse|Andrew Romano|October 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It would certainly have been wrong for Obama to meddle with the investigation for political reasons.
Should Eric Holder Have Told Obama About the Petraeus Scandal Sooner?|James Warren|November 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Both would also be tempted to meddle with each other's minorities.
Marc Grossman Inherits the Worst Job in the World|Bruce Riedel|February 15, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The Republican National Committee came around only to meddle with his plans, he said.
Don't Blame Me for Paladino!|Samuel P. Jacobs|November 26, 2010|DAILY BEAST
A royal decree (December 31, 1622) orders the Dominicans in the Philippines not to meddle in affairs of government.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
His motto was, "Grab a dollar to-day—but don't meddle with it if it interferes with a thousand dollars in ten years."
Scattergood Baines|Clarence Budington Kelland
The turtle explains (l. 514) that it is better to be silent than to meddle with things which one does not understand.
Chaucer's Works, Volume 1 (of 7) -- Romaunt of the Rose; Minor Poems|Geoffrey Chaucer
Myles deposed, in 1592, that henceforth Burbage "would not suffer her to meddle in the premises, but thrust her out of all."
Shakespearean Playhouses|Joseph Quincy Adams
Good Cousin Pontalier, meddle with thatThat shall concerne thyselfe.
The Fatal Dowry|Philip Massinger

British Dictionary definitions for meddle

meddle

/ (ˈmɛdəl) /

verb (intr)

(usually foll by with) to interfere officiously or annoyingly

(usually foll by in) to involve oneself unwarrantedlyto meddle in someone's private affairs

Derived forms of meddle

meddler, nounmeddling, adjectivemeddlingly, adverb

Word Origin for meddle

C14: from Old French medler, ultimately from Latin miscēre to mix

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

meddle

OTHER WORDS FOR meddle

Origin of meddle

OTHER WORDS FROM meddle

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH meddle

Words nearby meddle

Words related to meddle

How to use meddle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for meddle

Derived forms of meddle

Word Origin for meddle