meddling 1 of 3

meddling

2 of 3

noun

meddling

3 of 3

verb

present participle of meddle

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 meddling
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 Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's busiest energy shipping corridors, has remained a focal point of tensions since fighting erupted between the United States, Israel and Iran earlier this year.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 28 June 2026
  • With the bullpen overworked from a busy week — which featured a doubleheader Wednesday — manager Craig Counsell said Friday wasn’t the time to be aggressive.
    Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026
Noun
  • It was destroyed in the name of urban renewal and has borne the brunt of government interference and disinvestment.
    Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2026
  • 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.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 30 June 2026
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).
    Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 2026
  • 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.
    E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • That was a policy focus for the Biden administration that the Trump administration now seems to regard as a distraction raised by meddlesome states.
    Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 25 May 2026
  • God, would no one rid me of this meddlesome radiologist?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
Noun
  • Valadao also said the cuts match eligibility standards for other federal assistance programs.
    Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026
  • The sheriff's office reopened portions of the investigation roughly three years ago, reviewing thousands of case files and conducting interviews with Mansfield with assistance from federal and state authorities.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • There was something a little therapeutic about messing it up.
    Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 28 June 2026
  • 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.
    Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • Lee will play Maya, the officious Chief of Staff for the Governor of Oklahoma.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 18 May 2026
  • Her Southern accent is slightly clipped and officious, the type of drawl that’s a stamp of a suburban upbringing.
    Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • New voices, new philosophies, new ways of teaching and new sets of data to parse through.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026
  • At the same meeting, the school board will take up a vote to rewrite the state’s social studies curriculum, focusing more on Texas and US history and deemphasizing some teachings about global history and cultures.
    Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 26 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Meddling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meddling. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

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