Synonyms of meddlesome

meddlesome

adjective

ˈme-dᵊl-səm 

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

• busy
• officious
• meddling
• intruding
• intrusive
• annoying
• interfering
• nosy
• obtrusive
• pushy
• presumptuous
• prying
• rude
• protrusive
• snoopy
• pushing
• impudent
• insolent
• bumptious
• presuming
• brazen
• impertinent
• curious
• invading
• inquisitive
• trespassing
• overbearing
• pestiferous
• harassing
• bold
• superserviceable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unobtrusive
• uninvolved
• silent
• withdrawn
• quiet
• reclusive
• reticent
• hands-off
• taciturn
• restrained
• reserved
• inhibited
• retiring
• subdued

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of meddlesome

What’s going on with the way Nelly is more meddlesome? —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026

The fact is, in a newsroom full of meddlesome, sometimes pushy people, Beverly was none of that. —Brad Schmitt, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Oct. 2025

The special ops unit chases every lead possible, from bribes to Mexican drug cartels, a meddlesome L.A. District Attorney (Merrick McCartha) and corruption in the government of Belarus. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 25 June 2025

The more unified Ethiopia becomes, the less meddlesome outsiders will be able to exploit its divisions. —Jeffrey Feltman, Foreign Affairs, 26 Dec. 2022