Showing results for "meddling"

• present participle of meddle.

meddling

American  

[med-ling] / ˈmɛd lɪŋ /

adjective

1. interfering or getting involved in a matter without any right or invitation.

   Comedic complications arise when a meddling friend attempts to rekindle the spark in the couple’s tired marriage.

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noun

1. the act or habit of interfering or getting involved in something without any right or invitation.

   The company will work independently, and there won't be any meddling by the government.

Other Word Forms

• unmeddling
  adjective
• meddlingly
  adverb
• unmeddlingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of meddling

First recorded in 1375–1425; meddle ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective; meddle ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun

Explanation

Meddling is getting involved in something despite that fact that your participation is completely unwanted. If your parents planned out your entire social life, you'd be justified in accusing them of meddling. To meddle is to "interfere in something that's not your concern," and it comes from a root meaning "to mix." Meddling can be used as a noun or as an adjective, to describe annoying people who poke their noses into your business. If you've ever watched old Scooby Doo cartoons, you've heard a villain complain about "those meddling kids!"

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

meddling

In a New York Times op-ed, Paramount CEO David Ellison now says he likes both political parties and has no intention of meddling in news.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

Although 48% had confidence that there would be not meddling, the concerns expressed were still significant, Schickler said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2026

On the hard-news side, she bungled big moments like an interview with Vladimir Putin, who batted away her questions about 2016 election meddling with an exasperated performance of ignorance.

From Slate ● May 6, 2026

The military has repeatedly denied involvement in Khan's legal cases or meddling in the civilian domain.

From Barron's ● Apr. 12, 2026

The Smokies hunted, but they were like the rangers, killing only species that didn’t belong in this part of the world or that had gotten out of control thanks to the Rusties’ meddling.

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld