meddle

verb

med·​dle ˈme-dᵊl How to pronounce meddle (audio)
meddled; meddling
ˈmed-liŋ,
ˈme-dᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce meddle (audio)

intransitive verb

: to interest oneself in what is not one's concern : interfere without right or propriety (see propriety sense 1)
I never meddle in other people's private affairsG. B. Shaw

Examples of meddle in a Sentence

please stop meddling in your sister's marriage, even though you mean well
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The comments drew backlash from many in Lebanon who saw them as meddling in internal Lebanese affairs. Kareem Chehayeb and Abby Sewell, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Feb. 2025 For years, experts and government officials have accused Moscow of spreading disinformation, launching cyberattacks and using any other means necessary to meddle in the elections of democratic countries. Alexander Smith, NBC News, 26 Jan. 2025 The collapse in border sovereignty plus horrific recent attacks like the New Orleans massacre convince Americans that the meddling globalism of Joe Biden and the Washington foreign policy establishment has not served America's strategic or economic interests. Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025 There has been some public and internal pressure over sanctioning Afghanistan's cricket board, which is meddled by the government, and effectively ban the men's team from playing. Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for meddle 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English medlen, from Anglo-French mesler, medler, from Vulgar Latin *misculare, from Latin miscēre to mix — more at mix

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of meddle was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near meddle

Cite this Entry

“Meddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meddle. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

meddle

verb
med·​dle ˈmed-ᵊl How to pronounce meddle (audio)
meddled; meddling ˈmed-liŋ How to pronounce meddle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
: to interest oneself in what is not one's concern
meddle in another's business
meddler
ˈmed-lər How to pronounce meddle (audio)
-ᵊl-ər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on meddle

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