meddling 1 of 3

Definition of meddlingnext

meddling

2 of 3

noun

meddling

3 of 3

verb

present participle of meddle

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 meddling
Adjective
Practical, traditional and somewhat meddling, Aunt Maysilee places importance on societal norms. Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
Ultrabillionaire Jeff Bezos on Wednesday hyped artificial intelligence, blamed government meddling for economic woes and broadly defended himself and his mega-rich peers in an exclusive interview with CNBC. Kevin Breuninger,annie Palmer, CNBC, 20 May 2026 Kennedy’s move to reshape the CDC panel—the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP—came amid Kennedy’s many other attempts to undermine it, as well as a court order to undo that meddling. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2026 To suggest that there would be any weird nefarious meddling here, okay? Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026 Nebraska Democrats decried his last-minute candidacy as an example of the GOP meddling in their primary with a scheme to siphon votes away from Osborn in the fall. Michael Loria, USA Today, 13 May 2026 On Tuesday, the New York Times reported that the Congressional Leadership Fund is one of two Republican super PACs meddling in Democratic congressional primaries across the country to promote more progressive candidates. Mathew Miranda may 13, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026 In a bid to (sort of) preemptively defend itself against regulatory meddling, league officials earlier this month gave advisors to FCC chairman Brendan Carr a presentation designed to underscore the NFL’s commitment to over-the-air television. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 1 May 2026 Sure, all this meddling does muck up the pacing somewhat, but who cares? Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 Apr. 2026 Recessions, depressions, wars, pandemics, political meddling, stock market crashes, regulation, and recalls have repeatedly threatened carmakers’ continued survival. Jamie Lincoln Kitman, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
The narrator’s family has moved to an affluent part of Bengaluru, and their attempts to head off meddling outsiders are at times subtle, at times pugnacious, but always hilarious. The Week Us, TheWeek, 27 May 2026 Adam’s devious plan and meddling soon sets everything, and everyone, spiraling out of control. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 14 May 2026 But this is a sitting legislator that’s meddling in races in the other body against an incumbent. Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 8 May 2026 However, life soon started meddling in her plans. Juan A. Ramírez, Vogue, 8 May 2026 The source said the owners aren’t meddling in routine day-to-day operations. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026 The Italian host nation went on to win the tournament, but it was soiled by accusations of meddling from Mussolini. Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026 As the Hungarian election approaches, media reports have suggested Russian secret services were meddling to tip Sunday’s vote in Orbán’s favor, something Russia denied. Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026 Ambassadors who spoke with me did so on the condition of anonymity to avoid the appearance of meddling in domestic politics. Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meddling
Adjective
  • The five zippered pockets are useful for keeping essentials secure while sightseeing, hiking, or navigating busy airports, and the moisture-wicking fabric is helpful in hot or humid weather.
    Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2026
  • With or without a flashlight, searching the house for treasure can keep kids (and parents) busy for hours.
    Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026
Noun
  • Lee questioned the home plate umpire about the interference call.
    Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
  • Through exquisite timing to track the arrival of photons from each telescope, essentially all the light soaked up by the entire array can be combined to make interference patterns from which images can be extracted.
    K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • She was sentenced — correctly — for interfering in an election in her county and for allowing unauthorized access to the voting equipment, not for expressing her personal opinion.
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 20 May 2026
  • Several legislative efforts are currently underway to keep the federal government from interfering in California elections.
    Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Orange County Workforce and Economic Development Board encouraged small business owners impacted by the incident to submit an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan worksheet to determine eligibility for potential assistance programs.
    Austin Turner, CBS News, 26 May 2026
  • Many skilled trade schools recognize that service members are well-suited for careers in the trades and actively work to support their transition by offering enrollment assistance and educational funding.
    Rose Van Alstine, Fortune, 26 May 2026
Verb
  • LeBron James loves messing with that nemesis named Father Time.
    Candace Buckner, New York Times, 14 May 2026
  • He was seen during his Tuesday practice round messing with his shoe and sock on his right foot before ultimately calling it quits.
    Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • The unit's playing time in those games had been limited by a combination of blowouts (wins and losses), minute restrictions (Aaron Gordon) and meddlesome minor injuries (Jamal Murray's ankle and shoulder).
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Woody Johnson is known to be meddlesome, impatient and easily influenced by headlines.
    The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • While his previous rosters were ready-made, this one required more teaching.
    Jay King, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • The program combines the strengths of collaborators to enrich teaching and learning of STEM while building the workforce of the future.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • Besides the risk of Oracle snooping into your business, there’s also the possibility of regulatory capture — that is, because Ellison is so tight with the Trumps, what remains of the government watchdogs won’t stop it.
    Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, 29 Apr. 2026
  • This leads to a lively scene where Carl and his glowering right-hand man make an impromptu visit to Hypergnosis headquarters and demand a demonstration of Duncan’s snooping network.
    Scott Tobias, Vulture, 26 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Meddling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meddling. Accessed 30 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on meddling

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster