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

Examples 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 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 Immediately, sparks fly but the road to love will be anything but easy when their meddlesome friends and family get involved. —

Dana Feldman, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024 Still, any route out of the crisis is unclear, with Bangladesh’s once meddlesome military today firmly in Hasina’s corner. —

Charlie Campbell, TIME, 25 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for meddlesome

Recent Examples of Synonyms for meddlesome

Adjective

Well, 2024 seems to have been a very busy year for the OECD and the OECD inclusive framework base erosion and profit shifting in terms of implementation of these two pillars.

Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
The man accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a busy Manhattan street was scheduled for arraignment Monday on state murder charges just days after a dramatic return to the city to face federal counts in the case.

John Bacon, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024