tamper

¹

[tam-per]

verb (used without object)

1. to meddle, especially for the purpose of altering, damaging, or misusing (usually followed bywith ).

   Someone has been tampering with the lock.

   Synonyms: interfere

2. to make changes in something, especially in order to falsify (usually followed bywith ).

   to tamper with official records.

3. to engage secretly or improperly in something.

4. to engage in underhand or corrupt dealings, especially in order to influence improperly (usually followed bywith ).

   Any lawyer who tries to tamper with a jury should be disbarred.

tamper

²

[tam-per]

noun

1. a person or thing that tamps.

tamper

¹

/ ˈtæmpə /

verb

1. (usually foll by with) to interfere or meddle

2. to use corrupt practices such as bribery or blackmail

3. (usually foll by with) to attempt to influence or corrupt, esp by bribery

   to tamper with the jury

tamper

²

/ ˈtæmpə /

noun

1. a person or thing that tamps, esp an instrument for packing down tobacco in a pipe

2. a casing around the core of a nuclear weapon to increase its efficiency by reflecting neutrons and delaying the expansion

Other Word Forms

• tamperer noun
• untampered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tamper¹

First recorded in 1560–70; probably variant of temper (verb)

Origin of tamper²

tamp + -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of tamper¹

C16: alteration of _temper (verb)

Example Sentences

Alcutt patrols the streets and relies on sensors and geotrackers to get alerts when the lines are being tampered with or removed.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In one, Russian hackers claimed responsibility for tampering with an Indiana wastewater treatment plant.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

During a Test against South Africa, Smith admitted Australia's "leadership group" devised a plan to tamper with the ball.

Read more on BBC

US prosecutors had recommended a life sentence for the Grammy Award winner after he was found guilty in April 2023 of corruption and other charges, including acting as an unregistered foreign agent and witness tampering.

Read more on BBC

Michel was convicted in federal court in Washington, D.C., on all 10 counts he faced, including conspiracy to defraud the U.S., witness tampering and not registering his lobbying work on behalf of a foreign national.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• meddle 
• monkey with www.thesaurus.com
• tinker