meddle

verb

med·​dle ˈme-dᵊl 

meddled; meddling

ˈmed-liŋ, 

ˈme-dᵊl-iŋ 

intransitive verb

: to interest oneself in what is not one's concern : interfere without right or propriety (see propriety sense 1)

… I never meddle in other people's private affairs …

—George Bernard Shaw

meddler

ˈmed-lər  ˈme-dᵊl-ər 

noun

Synonyms of meddle

• interfere
• mess

Examples of meddle in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

On Tuesday night, the Maine Democratic Party publicly accused the campaign of meddling in the succession process. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 9 July 2026

And Maine’s Democratic Party accused Graham Platner of meddling in the process to replace him. — Kaylah Jackson, NBC news, 8 July 2026

Instead, the meddling radiated corruption over due process of an unfortunate but longstanding rule that has remedies seldom invoked in the middle of the World Cup. — Vahe Gregorian july 7, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026

Or, the family retains voting control but empowers a world-class professional management team to run daily operations without meddling, as seen at Hyatt or McCormick & Co. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English medlen, from Anglo-French mesler, medler, from Vulgar Latin *misculare, from Latin miscēre to mix — more at mix

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for meddle

• bedell
• heddle
• medal
• pedal
• peddle
• wedel
• bipedal
• intermeddle

Kids Definition

meddle

verb

med·​dle ˈmed-ᵊl 

meddled; meddling ˈmed-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

: to interest oneself in what is not one's concern

meddle in another's business

meddler

ˈmed-lər 

-ᵊl-ər

noun