MEDDLESOME Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

meddlesome

adjective

ˈme-dᵊl-səm

Definition of meddlesome

as in busy

thrusting oneself where one is not welcome or invited meddlesome neighbors kept asking the couple when they were going to have children

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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 The more unified Ethiopia becomes, the less meddlesome outsiders will be able to exploit its divisions. — Jeffrey Feltman, Foreign Affairs, 26 Dec. 2022 Woody Johnson is known to be meddlesome, impatient and easily influenced by headlines. — The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026 But instead of meddlesome mamas making matches, the dating game now more closely resembles the stock market, with daters’ valuations charting up and down. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 15 June 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for meddlesome

Recent Examples of Synonyms for meddlesome

Adjective

The tribe wants to build a travel center on the land along a busy highway on Long Island.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Because Saturday is typically the busiest day for car sales, most dealerships remain open then and close on Sundays instead.

— Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026

Definition of busy

Adjective

Even Karp’s more intelligible arguments are quickly trampled over as additional intrusive thoughts took the wheel.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 1 July 2026
Before being diagnosed with OCD in the spring of 2024, Lederer had spent years believing many of her intrusive thoughts were uniquely hers.

— Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026

Definition of intrusive

Adjective

This is a realm of exposition-heavy opening credits, relentlessly earwormy theme tunes, and heroes who, for no obvious reason, choose to hang out with cute/annoying [delete as appropriate] comedy sidekicks like Orko and Snarf.

— Richard Edwards, Space.com, 5 July 2026
This would have evoked annoying memories of the 0-0 draw against Morocco in 2022 and 1-1 draw with Russia in 2018 for Spain.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of annoying

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“Meddlesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meddlesome. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of meddlesome

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