meddle

verb

med·​dle ˈme-dᵊl How to pronounce meddle (audio)
meddled; meddling
ˈmed-liŋ, 
ˈme-dᵊl-iŋ How to pronounce meddle (audio)
Synonyms of meddle

intransitive verb

: to interest oneself in what is not one's concern : interfere without right or propriety (see propriety sense 1)
… I never meddle in other people's private affairs …—George Bernard Shaw
meddler
ˈmed-lər How to pronounce meddle (audio) ˈme-dᵊl-ər How to pronounce meddle (audio)
noun

Synonyms of meddle

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Examples of meddle in a Sentence

please stop meddling in your sister's marriage, even though you mean well
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Thousands of retirees and others marched in Spain's capital Saturday to demand public pensions aren’t meddled with. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 Thousands of retirees and others marched in Spain’s capital Saturday to demand public pensions aren’t meddled with. — Colleen Barry, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026 News coverage of a poll that doesn’t favor a political party is not an invitation to meddle in an election through intimidation. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026 Lula seized on these acts as meddling in the campaign, and as an assault on Brazilian sovereignty encouraged by the Bolsonaro family. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for meddle

Word History

Etymology

Middle English medlen, from Anglo-French mesler, medler, from Vulgar Latin *misculare, from Latin miscēre to mix — more at mix

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of meddle was in the 14th century

Rhymes for meddle

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Browse Nearby Words

Medan
meddle
meddler
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Cite this Entry

“Meddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meddle. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

meddle

verb
med·​dle ˈmed-ᵊl How to pronounce meddle (audio)
meddled; meddling ˈmed-liŋ How to pronounce meddle (audio)
-ᵊl-iŋ
: to interest oneself in what is not one's concern
meddle in another's business
meddler
ˈmed-lər How to pronounce meddle (audio)
-ᵊl-ər
noun
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