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 next

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 12-team playoff isn’t even here yet, and already the meddlesome 11 are deciding how to reshape the playoff for the 2026 season. —

Blake Toppmeyer, The Tennessean, 1 Mar. 2024 Their best interaction involves mutual commiseration about their fathers, one deeply meddlesome and the other emotionally absent. —

Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 July 2024 Joyce Antler, also a historian of American Judaism, has written specifically about stereotypes of Jewish mothers as meddlesome, interfering, overbearing and over-involved. —

Samira Mehta, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2024 Moon has become particularly close with Bean, who plays her mother, and who has put a lot of thought into how best to be helpful without being meddlesome. —

Michael Paulson, New York Times, 8 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for meddlesome

Recent Examples of Synonyms for meddlesome

Adjective

But according to federal prosecutors, one Las Vegas woman prepared and filed false tax returns for her business and others at a busy average rate of nearly 80 per month.

— Adeel Hassan, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
December was busy as ever, squeezing in bites between holiday parties, restaurant reviews and end-of-year deadlines.

— Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2025