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
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Despite the studio's meddling and polarizing reactions at the time of release, Lang's efforts still impressed viewers, and in the decades that followed, many attempts were made to restore Lang's vision to varying degrees of success.
—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
Although 48% had confidence that there would be no meddling, the concerns expressed were still significant, said political scientist Eric Schickler, co-director of the institute.
—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Ultrabillionaire Jeff Bezos on Wednesday hyped artificial intelligence, blamed government meddling for economic woes and broadly defended himself and his mega-rich peers in an exclusive interview with CNBC.
—
Kevin Breuninger,annie Palmer,
CNBC,
20 May 2026
Kennedy’s move to reshape the CDC panel—the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP—came amid Kennedy’s many other attempts to undermine it, as well as a court order to undo that meddling.
—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
19 May 2026
To suggest that there would be any weird nefarious meddling here, okay?
—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
Nebraska Democrats decried his last-minute candidacy as an example of the GOP meddling in their primary with a scheme to siphon votes away from Osborn in the fall.
—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
On Tuesday, the New York Times reported that the Congressional Leadership Fund is one of two Republican super PACs meddling in Democratic congressional primaries across the country to promote more progressive candidates.
—
Mathew Miranda
may 13,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2026
Matt Motta,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
The story is untethered from reality in a way that's ridiculously charming—think the hijinks levels of Weekend at Bernie's paired with a whodunnit plot line plus a whole slew of meddling, larger-than-life characters.
—
Katherine Polcari,
Southern Living,
19 June 2026
Unlike polling, which is not typically prone to the same kind of meddling by campaigns, betting on one’s own campaign could ultimately change voters’ minds regarding the viability of a candidate.
—
Matt Motta,
The Conversation,
16 June 2026
Although 48% had confidence that there would be not meddling, the concerns expressed were still significant, Schickler said.
—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
And a nod to president of baseball operations and general manager Alex Anthopoulos for not meddling with the lineup — and having the smarts to trade for Dubón in the first place.
—
Ken Sugiura,
AJC.com,
6 June 2026
The narrator’s family has moved to an affluent part of Bengaluru, and their attempts to head off meddling outsiders are at times subtle, at times pugnacious, but always hilarious.
—
The Week Us,
TheWeek,
27 May 2026
Adam’s devious plan and meddling soon sets everything, and everyone, spiraling out of control.
—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
However, life soon started meddling in her plans.
—
Juan A. Ramírez,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
Adjective
Practical, traditional and somewhat meddling, Aunt Maysilee places importance on societal norms.
—
Rebecca Angel Baer,
Southern Living,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
This succession was muddied thanks to the meddling of the King’s Hand, Otto Hightower, and the king’s own mumbled words on his deathbed to his wife, Alicent.
—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Despite the studio's meddling and polarizing reactions at the time of release, Lang's efforts still impressed viewers, and in the decades that followed, many attempts were made to restore Lang's vision to varying degrees of success.
—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
Although 48% had confidence that there would be no meddling, the concerns expressed were still significant, said political scientist Eric Schickler, co-director of the institute.
—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Ultrabillionaire Jeff Bezos on Wednesday hyped artificial intelligence, blamed government meddling for economic woes and broadly defended himself and his mega-rich peers in an exclusive interview with CNBC.
—
Kevin Breuninger,annie Palmer,
CNBC,
20 May 2026
Kennedy’s move to reshape the CDC panel—the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP—came amid Kennedy’s many other attempts to undermine it, as well as a court order to undo that meddling.
—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
19 May 2026
To suggest that there would be any weird nefarious meddling here, okay?
—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
Nebraska Democrats decried his last-minute candidacy as an example of the GOP meddling in their primary with a scheme to siphon votes away from Osborn in the fall.
—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
On Tuesday, the New York Times reported that the Congressional Leadership Fund is one of two Republican super PACs meddling in Democratic congressional primaries across the country to promote more progressive candidates.
—
Mathew Miranda
may 13,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2026
Verb
Unlike polling, which is not typically prone to the same kind of meddling by campaigns, betting on one’s own campaign could ultimately change voters’ minds regarding the viability of a candidate.
—
Matt Motta,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
The story is untethered from reality in a way that's ridiculously charming—think the hijinks levels of Weekend at Bernie's paired with a whodunnit plot line plus a whole slew of meddling, larger-than-life characters.
—
Katherine Polcari,
Southern Living,
19 June 2026
Unlike polling, which is not typically prone to the same kind of meddling by campaigns, betting on one’s own campaign could ultimately change voters’ minds regarding the viability of a candidate.
—
Matt Motta,
The Conversation,
16 June 2026
Although 48% had confidence that there would be not meddling, the concerns expressed were still significant, Schickler said.
—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
And a nod to president of baseball operations and general manager Alex Anthopoulos for not meddling with the lineup — and having the smarts to trade for Dubón in the first place.
—
Ken Sugiura,
AJC.com,
6 June 2026
The narrator’s family has moved to an affluent part of Bengaluru, and their attempts to head off meddling outsiders are at times subtle, at times pugnacious, but always hilarious.
—
The Week Us,
TheWeek,
27 May 2026
Adam’s devious plan and meddling soon sets everything, and everyone, spiraling out of control.
—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
However, life soon started meddling in her plans.
—
Juan A. Ramírez,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meddling
Adjective
-
The tribe wants to build a travel center on the land along a busy highway on Long Island.
-
Because Saturday is typically the busiest day for car sales, most dealerships remain open then and close on Sundays instead.
Noun
-
It was destroyed in the name of urban renewal and has borne the brunt of government interference and disinvestment.
-
The ruling retained the Fed’s special status in the government that shields it from interference by the White House—now or in the future.
Verb
-
The pivotal match itself — the semifinal encounter against hosts Uruguay — is also more convincingly depicted and dramatic, particularly for how one of the goals is assisted by an interfering policeman (incredibly, this did actually happen).
-
Other fans have targeted Chung Mong-gyu, the outgoing director of the Korean Football Association, who’s been accused of improperly interfering in the management of the national team.
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).
-
Woody Johnson is known to be meddlesome, impatient and easily influenced by headlines.
Noun
-
Despite government assurances, humanitarian groups warn that the scale of assistance still falls short of the need.
-
For instance, in addition to covering repairs, Endurance plans come with perks like 24/7 roadside assistance, windshield repair, fob replacement and rental car reimbursement.
Verb
-
There was something a little therapeutic about messing it up.
-
No one can match her depth and passion to get vengeance on Krem of the Yellow Hills for messing with her family — a sentiment Cancers understand.
Adjective
-
Lee will play Maya, the officious Chief of Staff for the Governor of Oklahoma.
-
Her Southern accent is slightly clipped and officious, the type of drawl that’s a stamp of a suburban upbringing.
Noun
-
The city has argued in court filings that the ordinance didn’t specifically ban teaching yoga in its parks, but required people seeking to engage in commercial activity or lectures to obtain a permit.
-
Noncertified employees – staff like bus drivers, cafeteria workers and teaching assistants – will get a 3% raise.
Cite this Entry
“Meddling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meddling. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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