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.
Hoover stuck to his Republican principles that the government shouldn't meddle in the economy — a decision many saw as one of the worst political mistakes of the 20th century. — Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 9 Aug. 2026 Carlisle’s exit came at a time of turbulence for 60 Minutes, which has been rocked by accusations of meddling under new ownership from David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance. — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026 Iran was largely preoccupied with attempts to meddle elsewhere. — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 But the gesture erupted into a firestorm of criticism by media and sports fans who believed the uncontested basket meddled with the integrity of the game. — Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 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 12 Aug. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on meddle

Nglish: Translation of meddle for Spanish Speakers

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