meddle

[med-l]

verb (used without object)

meddled, meddling 

1. to involve oneself in a matter without right or invitation; interfere officiously and unwantedly.

   Stop meddling in my personal life!

   Synonyms: pry, intrude, intervene

meddle

/ ˈmɛdəl /

verb

1. (usually foll by with) to interfere officiously or annoyingly

2. (usually foll by in) to involve oneself unwarrantedly

   to meddle in someone's private affairs

Other Word Forms

• meddler noun
• overmeddle verb (used without object)
• unmeddled adjective
• meddling adjective
• meddlingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of meddle¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English medlen, from Old French me(s)dler, variant of mesler “to mix,” from Vulgar Latin misculāre (unrecorded), frequentative of Latin miscēre

Word History and Origins

Origin of meddle¹

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

Example Sentences

But historic attempts to meddle with the infrastructure of European sports haven’t always gone smoothly.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Anything can be framed as a “religious belief,” entitling parents to meddle with what’s available in the classroom.

Read more on Salon

"If they have been contained in their country, let them not come here to meddle. Let's not give them a chance. They have already created chaos in their own country," she said.

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President Hassan warned at the time that she would not allow activists from neighbouring countries to "meddle" in Tanzania's affairs.

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Tanzania is yet to comment on the torture claims but President Samia had earlier warned that she would not allow activists from neighbouring countries to "meddle" in her country's affairs and cause "chaos".

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Related Words

• hinder 
• impede 
• impose 
• infringe 
• intrude 
• tamper