meddling

[ med-ling ]

adjective

1. interfering or getting involved in a matter without any right or invitation:

   Comedic complications arise when a meddling friend attempts to rekindle the spark in the couple’s tired marriage.

noun

1. the act or habit of interfering or getting involved in something without any right or invitation:

   The company will work independently, and there won't be any meddling by the government.

Other Words From

• med·dling·ly adverb
• un·med·dling adjective
• un·med·dling·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of meddling¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; meddle ( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective; meddle ( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun

Example Sentences

The department’s independence from political meddling is a long-standing norm, but it isn’t protected by law.

From Los Angeles Times

These included a prohibition on White House meddling in Justice Department prosecutions that took on canonical status.

From Los Angeles Times

U.S. officials have accused Russia and its agents of directly meddling in U.S. elections for years.

From Los Angeles Times

Russia had already denied meddling in the vote, which came a week after another key Eastern European election in Georgia, whose president said it had been a "Russian special operation".

From BBC

The Kremlin has denied meddling in Georgia’s domestic affairs and has accused the West of “unprecedented attempts” at interference.

From BBC