tamper

¹

[ tam-per ]

verb (used without object)

1. to meddle, especially for the purpose of altering, damaging, or misusing (usually followed by with ):

   Someone has been tampering with the lock.

   Synonyms: interfere

2. to make changes in something, especially in order to falsify (usually followed by with ):

   to tamper with official records.

3. to engage secretly or improperly in something.
4. to engage in underhand or corrupt dealings, especially in order to influence improperly (usually followed by with ):

   Any lawyer who tries to tamper with a jury should be disbarred.

tamper

²

[ tam-per ]

noun

1. a person or thing that tamps.

tamper

¹

/ ˈtæmpə /

noun

1. a person or thing that tamps, esp an instrument for packing down tobacco in a pipe
2. a casing around the core of a nuclear weapon to increase its efficiency by reflecting neutrons and delaying the expansion

tamper

²

/ ˈtæmpə /

verb

1. usually foll by with to interfere or meddle
2. to use corrupt practices such as bribery or blackmail
3. usually foll by with to attempt to influence or corrupt, esp by bribery

   to tamper with the jury

Derived Forms

• ˈtamperer, noun

Other Words From

• tam·per·er noun
• un·tam·pered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tamper¹

First recorded in 1560–70; probably variant of temper (verb)

Origin of tamper²

tamp + -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of tamper¹

C16: alteration of temper (verb)

Example Sentences

There had been problems of a similar nature which were suspected to be tampering or minor mechanical issues.

From TechCrunch

They will also will admit to conspiracy to tamper with witnesses, the spokeswoman said.

From Fortune

He was sentenced to probation not for indecent exposure, but for tampering with public records by switching off his car’s dashboard camera during the stops.

From ProPublica

This could allow a malicious actor to tamper with a voter’s registration, including preventing it altogether, or to steal a voter’s personal information.

From Fortune

It’s designed to automatically analyze videos to determine whether or not algorithms have tampered with the footage.

From Popular-Science

The dirt should then be thrown in and settled by means of a tamper or by flooding with water.

From Project Gutenberg

It would be an ill return to tamper lightly, and without due consideration, with this young lady's affections.

From Project Gutenberg

Take this as your motto when you are inclined to tamper with wrong: "Who eats with the devil needs a long-handled spoon."

From Project Gutenberg

But to tamper with their dialect, or to take it from them, would be to leave them houseless and exposed in their daily business.

From Project Gutenberg

There is nothing so dangerous,” wrote Lord Campbell, “as for one not of the craft to tamper with our freemasonry.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• meddle
• monkey with
• tinker