as in busy
thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited
the bride's parents promised that they would never be meddling in-laws
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in interference
Related Words
as in interfering
to interest oneself in what is not one's concern
please stop meddling in your sister's marriage, even though you mean well
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of meddling
Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 29 Jan. 2026
Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Recessions, depressions, wars, pandemics, political meddling, stock market crashes, regulation, and recalls have repeatedly threatened carmakers’ continued survival.
—Jamie Lincoln Kitman, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
Hugo erred on the side of religious tolerance, while accepting state meddling in church affairs, positions that pleased no one in power.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Mar. 2026
Robert Mueller, a former FBI director who led the investigation into allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 election, has died, his family confirmed to CBS News on Saturday.
—Julia Kimani-Burnham, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Craig basically blames this breakup on Salley meddling in their business.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
The statement also contained a warning to Iran regarding its meddling in the conflict.
—Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Frustration at Iran’s meddling in other countries Still, Ozcelik noted the potentially violent backlash could be tempered by growing frustration, even among Shiite populations, at Iran’s meddling in other countries’ affairs.
—Elena Becatoros, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Google has not been banned outright, though Google Maps is sometimes disrupted by government meddling.
—Sophie Spiegelberger, New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2026
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
The Italian host nation went on to win the tournament, but it was soiled by accusations of meddling from Mussolini.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
As the Hungarian election approaches, media reports have suggested Russian secret services were meddling to tip Sunday’s vote in Orbán’s favor, something Russia denied.
—Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Ambassadors who spoke with me did so on the condition of anonymity to avoid the appearance of meddling in domestic politics.
—Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
Meet the next generation of meddling kids.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
But recently, the federal government started meddling.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 25 Feb. 2026
Williams, 40, faces a whisper campaign of criticism for communication lapses, meddling in police operations, and filling jobs with former colleagues from her previous employer, Miami Beach.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
The league has enough meddling owners and microphone fiends.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Practical, traditional and somewhat meddling, Aunt Maysilee places importance on societal norms.
—Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
Sure, all this meddling does muck up the pacing somewhat, but who cares?
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Recessions, depressions, wars, pandemics, political meddling, stock market crashes, regulation, and recalls have repeatedly threatened carmakers’ continued survival.
—Jamie Lincoln Kitman, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
Hugo erred on the side of religious tolerance, while accepting state meddling in church affairs, positions that pleased no one in power.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Mar. 2026
Robert Mueller, a former FBI director who led the investigation into allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 election, has died, his family confirmed to CBS News on Saturday.
—Julia Kimani-Burnham, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
Craig basically blames this breakup on Salley meddling in their business.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
The statement also contained a warning to Iran regarding its meddling in the conflict.
—Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Frustration at Iran’s meddling in other countries Still, Ozcelik noted the potentially violent backlash could be tempered by growing frustration, even among Shiite populations, at Iran’s meddling in other countries’ affairs.
—Elena Becatoros, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Google has not been banned outright, though Google Maps is sometimes disrupted by government meddling.
—Sophie Spiegelberger, New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
The source said the owners aren’t meddling in routine day-to-day operations.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026
The Italian host nation went on to win the tournament, but it was soiled by accusations of meddling from Mussolini.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
As the Hungarian election approaches, media reports have suggested Russian secret services were meddling to tip Sunday’s vote in Orbán’s favor, something Russia denied.
—Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Ambassadors who spoke with me did so on the condition of anonymity to avoid the appearance of meddling in domestic politics.
—Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
Meet the next generation of meddling kids.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
But recently, the federal government started meddling.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 25 Feb. 2026
Williams, 40, faces a whisper campaign of criticism for communication lapses, meddling in police operations, and filling jobs with former colleagues from her previous employer, Miami Beach.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
The league has enough meddling owners and microphone fiends.
—Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meddling
Adjective
-
SpaceX was responsible for most of the 71 rockets launched last year from Vandenberg, one of the world’s busiest spaceports.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
-
In response, Asia has been busy implementing a range of measures, from restricting energy use to introducing fuel subsidies, re-starting coal plants, and imposing export restrictions.—
Wendy Cutler,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
After one mistake too many and a little Machiavellian interference courtesy of his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston), Thor is stripped of his divine powers and banished to Earth, sentenced to live among the rest of us unworthy mortals.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
6 May 2026
-
What truly mattered was protecting Britain’s trade with the European continent against French interference.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Several legislative efforts are currently underway to keep the federal government from interfering in California elections.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The pattern of stripes shows that the photon’s two interfering paths are wave-like, also suggesting that a quantum particle behaves much like a wave.—
Ameya Paleja,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Visitors with specific needs can contact Guest Services for assistance.—
Taylor Haught,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In a report set to be presented Tuesday to the Police Commission, LAPD officials said drones were deployed more than 3,000 times last year, mostly in response to emergency calls or officer requests for assistance.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Stop messing with Wedgie, already.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Why are people messing with those cute little robots?—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
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
Noun
-
The cooperation between the mongooses enables culture and teaching, but also incredible violence.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
8 May 2026
-
Alongside teaching, Quach began working with birds, eventually developing long term relationships with two macaws that have now been with him for more than 21 years, an uncommon lifespan in human care.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Besides the risk of Oracle snooping into your business, there’s also the possibility of regulatory capture — that is, because Ellison is so tight with the Trumps, what remains of the government watchdogs won’t stop it.—
Elizabeth Lopatto,
The Verge,
29 Apr. 2026
-
This leads to a lively scene where Carl and his glowering right-hand man make an impromptu visit to Hypergnosis headquarters and demand a demonstration of Duncan’s snooping network.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Meddling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meddling. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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