tampered; tampering
ˈtam-p(ə-)riŋ 
; tampers
; tampers
1
a
: to interfere so as to weaken or change for the worse
—used with with
did not want to tamper with tradition
b
: to try foolish or dangerous experiments
—used with with
c
: to render something harmful or dangerous by altering its structure or composition
was charged with tampering with consumer products
2
a
: to carry on underhand or improper negotiations (as by bribery)
b
: to inflict physical harm, threats, intimidation, or corrupt persuasion with the goal of influencing or preventing a witness's testimony : to engage in witness tampering
—used with with
These alleged efforts were the basis for Mueller's accusation that Manafort was tampering with a witness, attempting to coach testimony, which would have violated the terms of his bail.—
Franklin Foer
Franklin Foer
plural tampers
: a tool for tamping : tamp entry 2
Using a tamper, tamp the coffee down into the filter …—Lexa Roséan
Lexa RoséanAfter each truckload of earth fell onto the cobblestones of the Piazza's perimeter, a steamroller flattened it, and five relaxed-looking workmen … patted it smooth with shovels and wooden tampers, and hosed it down.—Lis Harris
Lis Harris
Synonyms
Examples of tamper in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebAngel Saunders, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2023
However, the coach feared he would be accused of tampering if Holt following him immediately to Tuscaloosa, so Holt instead spent a year at Gainesville Junior College and then reunited with Bryant at Alabama.
—Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 7 Sep. 2023
Gutierrez-Reed has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering and has pleaded not guilty.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2023
In Texas, evidence tampering related to a possible felony case carries a sentence of between two and 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
—Allie Kelly, Dallas News, 26 July 2023
The investigation largely aimed to discover whether drinks have come from smuggled or tampered sources to ensure safety and quality control.
—Peter Aitken, Fox News, 6 Sep. 2023
Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the film’s armorer, is facing a trial in December on charges of involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Aug. 2023
Although there were reasons for abolishing the requirement, immediate freedom of movement, among the most important, but is the unfettered free agency, tampering, roster instability and other fallout that resulted worth it?
—Evan Dudley, al, 25 July 2023
Lewis served more than 12 years for attempting to extort money from the makers of the Tylenol during the 1982 cyanide tampering murders.
—John R. Ellement, BostonGlobe.com, 10 July 2023
Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2023
This focus on tamper proof and open data is the main value proposition for space scientists, according to Franck Marchis, senior astronomer at SETI and chief science officer at telescope startup Unistellar.
—Ben Weiss, Fortune Crypto, 4 July 2023
There are ledger databases, which afford the same technological capabilities as blockchains, such as immutability, tamper evidence and cryptographic verification, but store data locally, under your control.
—Moshe Bar, Forbes, 6 May 2022
Another signature feature of all Vitamix blenders is their tamper tool for blending ingredients with little to no liquid like hummus or peanut butter.
—Eva Bleyer, Good Housekeeping, 10 Oct. 2022
This Vitamix comes with a tamper to help process thicker foods, and it’s backed by a 7-year warranty to give you peace of mind.
—Camryn Rabideau, Forbes, 23 June 2021
The boxes are under 24-hour video surveillance, have tamper evidence seals and are collected daily by a pair of Election Commission staff members.
—Alison Dirr, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2020
Jones’ monitor then showed another tamper alert, and Jones went missing, the officer wrote.
—Dallas News, 11 Nov. 2022
The driver, via a translator, gave authorities permission to search the Jeep, and officers quickly spotted tamper marks in the tire well near the driver’s side of the vehicle.
—Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 11 Apr. 2022
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Verb
This prompted the South Carolina attorney general to ask South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to investigate claims of jury tampering.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2023
However, the coach feared he would be accused of tampering if Holt following him immediately to Tuscaloosa, so Holt instead spent a year at Gainesville Junior College and then reunited with Bryant at Alabama.
—Creg Stephenson | Cstephenson@al.com, al, 7 Sep. 2023
Gutierrez-Reed has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering and has pleaded not guilty.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2023
In Texas, evidence tampering related to a possible felony case carries a sentence of between two and 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
—Allie Kelly, Dallas News, 26 July 2023
The investigation largely aimed to discover whether drinks have come from smuggled or tampered sources to ensure safety and quality control.
—Peter Aitken, Fox News, 6 Sep. 2023
Hannah Gutierrez Reed, the film’s armorer, is facing a trial in December on charges of involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Aug. 2023
Although there were reasons for abolishing the requirement, immediate freedom of movement, among the most important, but is the unfettered free agency, tampering, roster instability and other fallout that resulted worth it?
—Evan Dudley, al, 25 July 2023
Lewis served more than 12 years for attempting to extort money from the makers of the Tylenol during the 1982 cyanide tampering murders.
—John R. Ellement, BostonGlobe.com, 10 July 2023
Noun
Escondido police found a 38-year-old man selling the concrete tamper online, Baeder said.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2023
This focus on tamper proof and open data is the main value proposition for space scientists, according to Franck Marchis, senior astronomer at SETI and chief science officer at telescope startup Unistellar.
—Ben Weiss, Fortune Crypto, 4 July 2023
There are ledger databases, which afford the same technological capabilities as blockchains, such as immutability, tamper evidence and cryptographic verification, but store data locally, under your control.
—Moshe Bar, Forbes, 6 May 2022
Another signature feature of all Vitamix blenders is their tamper tool for blending ingredients with little to no liquid like hummus or peanut butter.
—Eva Bleyer, Good Housekeeping, 10 Oct. 2022
This Vitamix comes with a tamper to help process thicker foods, and it’s backed by a 7-year warranty to give you peace of mind.
—Camryn Rabideau, Forbes, 23 June 2021
The boxes are under 24-hour video surveillance, have tamper evidence seals and are collected daily by a pair of Election Commission staff members.
—Alison Dirr, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2020
Jones’ monitor then showed another tamper alert, and Jones went missing, the officer wrote.
—Dallas News, 11 Nov. 2022
The driver, via a translator, gave authorities permission to search the Jeep, and officers quickly spotted tamper marks in the tire well near the driver’s side of the vehicle.
—Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 11 Apr. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tamper.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing tamper
Dictionary Entries Near tamper
Cite this Entry
“Tamper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tamper. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.
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tamper
intransitive verb
tam·per
1
: to bring improper influence to bear (as by bribery or intimidation)
—used with with
tampered with the jurors
2
: to alter or interfere in an unauthorized or improper manner
—used with with
tampered with evidence
More from Merriam-Webster on tamper
Nglish: Translation of tamper for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tamper
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