meddle

[ med-l ]

verb (used without object)

, med·dled, med·dling.

1. to involve oneself in a matter without right or invitation; interfere officiously and unwantedly:

   Stop meddling in my personal life!

   Synonyms: pry, intrude, intervene

meddle

/ ˈmɛdəl /

verb

1. usually foll by with to interfere officiously or annoyingly
2. usually foll by in to involve oneself unwarrantedly

   to meddle in someone's private affairs

Derived Forms

• ˈmeddling, adjective
• ˈmeddlingly, adverb
• ˈmeddler, noun

Other Words From

• med·dler noun
• o·ver·med·dle verb (used without object) overmeddled overmeddling
• un·med·dled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of meddle¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English medlen, from Old French me(s)dler, variant of mesler “to mix,” from Vulgar Latin misculāre (unrecorded), frequentative of Latin miscēre

Word History and Origins

Origin of meddle¹

C14: from Old French medler, ultimately from Latin miscēre to mix

Example Sentences

Im tells them to not meddle in his dreams.

From Los Angeles Times

There was a steady stream of disinformation and multiple attempts by Russia to meddle in the electoral process this year.

From Los Angeles Times

Ankit Jain: We’re D.C.’s main advocate for statehood and against congressional efforts to attack our local laws and meddle in our local affairs—basically, our elected lobbyist for our rights and our issues before Congress and the U.S.

From Slate

He has also said that he does not want the FBI to "meddle" in his case.

From BBC

But the same technological forces that have helped Perel’s ideas reach the masses have also begun to mold and meddle with modern-day relationships: We swipe to oblivion on soul-sucking dating apps, disappear like ghosts from our romantic interests’ lives and are lured from our partners by our smartphones at crucial moments for connection.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hinder
• impede
• impose
• infringe
• intrude
• tamper