intermeddle

A neighbor intermeddles in a private conversation.

Definition

1. Verb:
   • To interfere or meddle in the affairs of others, especially in an unwelcome or officious manner: "intermeddle" means to involve oneself in matters that are not one's concern, often with the implication of being intrusive or meddlesome.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • He was warned not to intermeddle in the family's private disputes. (He was told not to interfere in matters that did not concern him.)
  • The neighbor constantly intermeddles with our gardening plans. (The neighbor intrusively involves herself in our activities.)

Advanced Usage

• "to intermeddle with": to meddle or tamper with something.

  • Do not intermeddle with the machinery unless you are trained. (Do not tamper with the equipment without proper knowledge.)

• "to intermeddle in": to involve oneself in a situation or affair.

  • She has a habit of intermeddling in office politics. (She frequently interferes in workplace matters.)

Variants and Related Words

• Intermeddler (n): a person who habitually meddles in others' affairs.

  • The intermeddler was asked to leave the meeting. (The intrusive person was requested to depart.)

• Intermeddling (adj): characterized by or involving meddling.

  • His intermeddling behavior caused tension among the group. (His intrusive actions created discord.)

Synonyms

• Meddle: to involve oneself in a matter without right or invitation.
• Tamper: to interfere with something improperly.
• Intrude: to enter or involve oneself where one is not welcome.
• Pry: to inquire too curiously or intrusively.

Phrasal Verbs

• Intermeddle with: to meddle or tamper with something.
  • The child was told not to intermeddle with the computer settings. (The child was instructed not to tamper with the configuration.)

Related Idioms

• Stick one's nose into: to interfere in someone else's business.
  • She always sticks her nose into matters that don't concern her. (She constantly intermeddles.)
• Foul one's own nest: to harm one's own interests through meddling (less common as a direct synonym, but contextually related).
  • By intermeddling in company secrets, he fouled his own nest. (His meddling harmed his own position.)