fiddle with
phrasal verb
fiddled with; fiddling with; fiddles with
1
: to move or handle (something) with the hands or fingers in a nervous way
She was nervously fiddling with her pencil as she waited for the test to start.
2
: to change or handle (something, such as the controls of a machine) in a way that shows one is not sure what to do
He was fiddling with the controls of the television, trying to get it to work.
3
: to change (something) in a harmful or foolish way
It became clear that someone had fiddled with the equipment.
Examples of fiddle with in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But the Coast Guard also slowed progress with overly optimistic timelines, fuzzy cost estimates and a tendency to keep fiddling with new designs, according to a 2023 Government Accountability Office report.
—
Mckenzie Funk, ProPublica, 23 Jan. 2025
During these workouts, the machine will automatically adjust your speed and incline to follow the instructor—no more fiddling with buttons mid-sweat session.
—Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 23 Jan. 2025
Some guessed that excessive Taser incidents could be officers fiddling with the weapons out of boredom or sparking them as a practical joke.
—Nate Rosenfield, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025
After fiddling with the device and calling Dean for tips on its operation, Andrew had the pump purring like an idling motorcycle.
—Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for fiddle with 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Mckenzie Funk, ProPublica, 23 Jan. 2025
During these workouts, the machine will automatically adjust your speed and incline to follow the instructor—no more fiddling with buttons mid-sweat session.
—Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 23 Jan. 2025
Some guessed that excessive Taser incidents could be officers fiddling with the weapons out of boredom or sparking them as a practical joke.
—Nate Rosenfield, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025
After fiddling with the device and calling Dean for tips on its operation, Andrew had the pump purring like an idling motorcycle.
—Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for fiddle with
Dictionary Entries Near fiddle with
Cite this Entry
“Fiddle with.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fiddle%20with. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share