meddling

American  

[med-ling] / ˈmɛd lɪŋ /

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.

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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 Word Forms

• meddlingly adverb
• unmeddling adjective
• unmeddlingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of meddling

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

Explanation

Meddling is getting involved in something despite that fact that your participation is completely unwanted. If your parents planned out your entire social life, you'd be justified in accusing them of meddling. To meddle is to "interfere in something that's not your concern," and it comes from a root meaning "to mix." Meddling can be used as a noun or as an adjective, to describe annoying people who poke their noses into your business. If you've ever watched old Scooby Doo cartoons, you've heard a villain complain about "those meddling kids!"

Example Sentences

The sparks between them are obvious, and Appa, the soul of indiscretion, can’t help meddling in his overbearing way.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

It’s a near-catastrophic narrative oversight that, like a handful of other plot holes, reeks of studio meddling by Warner Bros. after early test screenings failed to meet expectations.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

Ethiopia has also accused Eritrea of meddling by backing Tigrayan forces, which it denies.

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

To protect the government’s cash cow, politicians avoided meddling in PdVSA, which was run by highly trained engineers and other professionals.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

But she wasn’t certain that it was third or not because Sula was acting up, fretting the deweys and meddling the newly married couple.

From "Sula" by Toni Morrison