meddlesome

1 of 2

adjective

med·​dle·​some ˈme-dᵊl-səm 

: having a tendency to meddle

meddlesome neighbors

meddlesomeness noun

meddlesomeness

2 of 2

noun

med·​dle·​some·​ness

plural -es

: the disposition or habit of a meddler

Synonyms of meddlesome

Adjective

• busy
• officious
• meddling
• intruding
• intrusive
• annoying

Choose the Right Synonym for meddlesome

impertinent, officious, meddlesome, intrusive, obtrusive mean given to thrusting oneself into the affairs of others.

impertinent implies exceeding the bounds of propriety in showing interest or curiosity or in offering advice.

resented their impertinent interference

officious implies the offering of services or attentions that are unwelcome or annoying.

officious friends made the job harder

meddlesome stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs.

a meddlesome landlord

intrusive implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs.

tried to be helpful without being intrusive

obtrusive stresses improper or offensive conspicuousness of interfering actions.

expressed an obtrusive concern for his safety

Examples of meddlesome in a Sentence

Adjective

Her neighbors saw her as a meddlesome nuisance.

meddlesome neighbors kept asking the couple when they were going to have children

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

That was a policy focus for the Biden administration that the Trump administration now seems to regard as a distraction raised by meddlesome states. — Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 25 May 2026

God, would no one rid me of this meddlesome radiologist? — Literary Hub, 18 May 2026

The unit's playing time in those games had been limited by a combination of blowouts (wins and losses), minute restrictions (Aaron Gordon) and meddlesome minor injuries (Jamal Murray's ankle and shoulder). — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026

Woody Johnson is known to be meddlesome, impatient and easily influenced by headlines. — The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1615, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

meddlesome

adjective

med·​dle·​some ˈmed-ᵊl-səm 

: inclined to meddle

meddlesomely adverb