meddle

verb

med·​dle ˈme-dᵊl How to pronounce meddle (audio)
meddled; meddling
ˈmed-liŋ,
ˈme-dᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce meddle (audio)

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 affairsG. B. Shaw

Examples of meddle in a Sentence

please stop meddling in your sister's marriage, even though you mean well
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One other way Trump might try to meddle in the Fed’s affairs is by trying to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Ellen Ioanes, Vox, 7 Nov. 2024 Russia was accused of meddling in Moldova’s presidential vote and in parliamentary elections in fellow former Soviet republic Georgia last month, when the pro-Russian Georgian Dream party claimed victory. Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024 Kate, her meddling husband Hal (Rufus Sewell) and U.K. foreign minister Austin Dennison (David Gyasi) have tried to uncover those responsible for an attack on a British aircraft carrier, and all signs point to an inside job involving Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge (Rory Kinnear). Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024 The report has been controversial as critics say the Republicans were meddling too much in university business and using their positions of power to intimidate schools. Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for meddle 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of meddle was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near meddle

Cite this Entry

“Meddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meddle. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

meddle

verb
med·​dle ˈmed-ᵊl How to pronounce meddle (audio)
meddled; meddling ˈmed-liŋ How to pronounce meddle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
: to interest oneself in what is not one's concern
meddle in another's business
meddler
ˈmed-lər How to pronounce meddle (audio)
-ᵊl-ər
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on meddle

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