Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective meddlesome contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of meddlesome are impertinent, intrusive, obtrusive, and officious. While all these words mean "given to thrusting oneself into the affairs of others," meddlesome stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs.

a meddlesome landlord

When could impertinent be used to replace meddlesome?

Although the words impertinent and meddlesome have much in common, impertinent implies exceeding the bounds of propriety in showing interest or curiosity or in offering advice.

resented their impertinent interference

Where would intrusive be a reasonable alternative to meddlesome?

The synonyms intrusive and meddlesome are sometimes interchangeable, but intrusive implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs.

tried to be helpful without being intrusive

In what contexts can obtrusive take the place of meddlesome?

The meanings of obtrusive and meddlesome largely overlap; however, obtrusive stresses improper or offensive conspicuousness of interfering actions.

expressed an obtrusive concern for his safety

When is officious a more appropriate choice than meddlesome?

In some situations, the words officious and meddlesome are roughly equivalent. However, officious implies the offering of services or attentions that are unwelcome or annoying.

officious friends made the job harder

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of meddlesome Romano starred as the sitcom's titular character, Raymond Barone, an Italian sports columnist living in Long Island with his wife (Patricia Heaton), three kids and meddlesome parents right across the street. Joelle Goldstein, People.com, 12 Dec. 2024 Her frugal immigrant parents bring their own food, and Nate’s meddlesome mom harangues her son about his career and her desperation for a grandchild. Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 15 Dec. 2024 Joyce Antler, also a historian of American Judaism, has written specifically about stereotypes of Jewish mothers as meddlesome, interfering, overbearing and over-involved. Samira Mehta, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2024 Immediately, sparks fly but the road to love will be anything but easy when their meddlesome friends and family get involved. Dana Feldman, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for meddlesome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meddlesome
Adjective
  • New hotels are addressing the long-standing lack of good accommodations, and the harbor is now a busy stop for cruise ships bound for Lisbon and Málaga.
    Christopher Bagley, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2025
  • Topline Newark Liberty International Airport experienced a lengthy air traffic control outage Sunday morning, shortly before Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the airport should scale back its operations amid air traffic control issues at the busy New Jersey airport.
    Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
Adjective
  • There’s something officious about Alden Ehrenreich.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Jan. 2023
  • Her charming luxury treasure trove has none of that officious chilliness that defines the typical store of its ilk but instead feels like a brocanterie crammed with interesting, unexpected luxury goods from across the world.
    Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2023
Adjective
  • The challenge of using AI in politics lies in harnessing these innovations while ensuring that personalization does not evolve into intrusive surveillance or manipulative targeting.
    Kris Qiu, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
  • Now Pi boards have their tiny bits and bigger pieces soldered at the same time through an intrusive reflow soldering process undertaken with Raspberry Pi's UK manufacturing partner, Sony.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But if Hereditary and Midsommar got under the skin with genuinely scary storytelling and startling imagery and Beau is Afraid was equal parts squirmy and maddening, Eddington is just annoying and empty.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025
  • This is Palace’s’ Comments R Rob M. · 6h 41m ago Listened to the pod (with the annoying ads but that's been flagged on the pod comments).
    The Athletic FC Podcast, New York Times, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Meddlesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meddlesome. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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