Meddle | Definition of Meddle by Merriam-Webster

meddled ; meddling play \ ˈmed-liŋ , ˈme-dᵊl-iŋ \ : to interest oneself in what is not one's concern : interfere without right or propriety (see propriety 3)
  • I never meddle in other people's private affairs
  • —G. B. Shaw

meddler

play \ ˈmed-lər , ˈme-dᵊl-ər \ noun

Examples of meddle in a Sentence

  1. please stop meddling in your sister's marriage, even though you mean well

Recent Examples of meddle from the Web

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Origin and Etymology of meddle

Middle English

medlen

, from Anglo-French

mesler, medler

, from Vulgar Latin

*misculare

, from Latin

miscēre

to mix — more at

mix

meddle Synonyms

Synonyms

butt in , interfere , interlope , intermeddle , intrude , mess , muck (about or around) , nose , obtrude , poke , pry , snoop ;

Related Words

intercede , interpose , intervene ;

barge (in) , chisel (in) , encroach , infringe , invade , trespass ;

fiddle , fool , monkey , play , tamper ;


MEDDLE Defined for English Language Learners

  • : to become involved in the activities and concerns of other people when your involvement is not wanted

  • : to change or handle something in a way that is unwanted or harmful


MEDDLE Defined for Kids

meddled ; meddling

: to be overly involved in someone else's business

Synonym Discussion of meddle

meddle

,

interfere

, and

tamper

mean to get involved with something that is someone else's business.

meddle

is used for intruding in an inconsiderate and annoying fashion.

    • Don't meddle in her personal life.
interfere

is used for getting in the way of or disturbing someone or something whether intentionally or not.

    • I tried to give advice without interfering.
tamper

is used for intruding or experimenting in a way that is wrong or uncalled-for and likely to be harmful.

    • Someone had tampered with the lock.


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