meddle

verb

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

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 affairsG. B. Shaw

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.
These attacks and other threats come after a report from Microsoft last month showed that foreign adversaries, including Russia, China, and Iran, may be ramping up efforts to meddle in the U.S. 2024 presidential election. Michael D. Carroll, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 Good free-market neoliberals had historically disdained this idea, believing government attempts to meddle in the economy would have bad results. Andrew Prokop, Vox, 15 Oct. 2024 While Tovah Feldshuh is intimidating from the jump, here’s hoping Nobody Wants This does more with her than lean into the meddling Jewish mother trope. Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2024 As siblings offer advice and sometimes meddle in each other’s romantic pursuits, the show provides a fresh perspective on dating. Jane Lacroix, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near meddle

Cite this Entry

“Meddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meddle. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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

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