MEDDLESOME Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'meddlesome' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of meddlesome are impertinent , intrusive , obtrusive , and officious . While all these words mean "given to thrusting oneself into the affairs of others," meddlesome stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs. // a meddlesome landlord

Q: When could 'impertinent' be used to replace 'meddlesome'?

Although the words impertinent and meddlesome have much in common, impertinent implies exceeding the bounds of propriety in showing interest or curiosity or in offering advice. // resented their impertinent interference

Q: Where would 'intrusive' be a reasonable alternative to 'meddlesome'?

The synonyms intrusive and meddlesome are sometimes interchangeable, but intrusive implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs. // tried to be helpful without being intrusive

Q: In what contexts can 'obtrusive' take the place of 'meddlesome'?

The meanings of obtrusive and meddlesome largely overlap; however, obtrusive stresses improper or offensive conspicuousness of interfering actions. // expressed an obtrusive concern for his safety

Q: When is 'officious' a more appropriate choice than 'meddlesome'?

In some situations, the words officious and meddlesome are roughly equivalent. However, officious implies the offering of services or attentions that are unwelcome or annoying. // officious friends made the job harder

meddlesome

adjective

ˈme-dᵊl-səm

Definition of meddlesome next

as in busy

thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited meddlesome neighbors kept asking the couple when they were going to have children

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the adjective meddlesome contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of meddlesome are impertinent, intrusive, obtrusive, and officious. While all these words mean "given to thrusting oneself into the affairs of others," meddlesome stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs.

a meddlesome landlord

When could impertinent be used to replace meddlesome?

Although the words impertinent and meddlesome have much in common, impertinent implies exceeding the bounds of propriety in showing interest or curiosity or in offering advice.

resented their impertinent interference

Where would intrusive be a reasonable alternative to meddlesome?

The synonyms intrusive and meddlesome are sometimes interchangeable, but intrusive implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs.

tried to be helpful without being intrusive

In what contexts can obtrusive take the place of meddlesome?

The meanings of obtrusive and meddlesome largely overlap; however, obtrusive stresses improper or offensive conspicuousness of interfering actions.

expressed an obtrusive concern for his safety

When is officious a more appropriate choice than meddlesome?

In some situations, the words officious and meddlesome are roughly equivalent. However, officious implies the offering of services or attentions that are unwelcome or annoying.

officious friends made the job harder

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of meddlesome Still, any route out of the crisis is unclear, with Bangladesh’s once meddlesome military today firmly in Hasina’s corner. —

Charlie Campbell, TIME, 25 July 2024 Imelda Staunton was creating a gold-standard portrait of the meddlesome fixer at the heart of the landmark musical Hello, Dolly! created by Jerry Herman and Michael Stewart from Thornton Wilder’s The Matchmaker. —

Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 19 July 2024 This year, the Roth 401(k) option became more attractive by eliminating one meddlesome feature and offering greater flexibility in retirement. —

Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 19 July 2024 My favorite performance of the night was mezzo-soprano Emily Treigle as meddlesome maid Despina, rendered here as a lovably troublesome and vaguely goth pot-stirrer. —

Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 22 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for meddlesome

Recent Examples of Synonyms for meddlesome

Adjective

After a slow and frustrating start to the week missing out on Juan Soto and Fried, the Red Sox were busy on Wednesday.

Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024
The park has been gradually reopening since July 2022, and weekends are busy enough that rangers urge visitors to make parking reservations at least a day ahead (details below).

Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024