meddle

verb

med·​dle ˈme-dᵊl 

meddled; meddling

ˈmed-liŋ,

ˈme-dᵊl-iŋ 

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 affairs

—G. B. Shaw

meddler

ˈmed-lər  ˈme-dᵊl-ər 

noun

Synonyms

• butt in
• interfere
• interlope
• intermeddle
• intrude
• mess
• muck (about or around)
• nose
• obtrude
• poke
• pry
• snoop

Examples of meddle in a Sentence

please stop meddling in your sister's marriage, even though you mean well

Recent Examples on the Web

In a tense session before EU officials on Tuesday, TikTok executives revealed that the platform had dismantled several networks attempting to meddle ahead of the Romanian vote. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024

Prosecutors have opposed Combs’s push for bail since his first court appearance in the case, alleging extensive evidence of violent behavior and purported efforts to meddle with case proceedings. —Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2024

There was a steady stream of disinformation and multiple attempts by Russia to meddle in the electoral process this year. —Colin P. Clarke, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024

The ties to Russia are also in line with other apparent efforts by the foreign power to meddle in the presidential election, as Russian firms have been linked to viral disinformation about election fraud. —Alison Durkee, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024

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

Kids Definition

meddle

verb

med·​dle ˈmed-ᵊl 

meddled; meddling ˈmed-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

: to interest oneself in what is not one's concern

meddle in another's business

meddler

ˈmed-lər 

-ᵊl-ər

noun