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meddlesome

meddlesome

8 7.2
Tending to get involved in other people's business and annoy them
  • adjective
  • /ˈmɛdəlˌsʌm/
translation icon : entrometido
  • She found him to be a meddlesome friend who constantly gave unwanted advice.
  • meddlesome neighbor
  • meddlesome mother
  • meddlesome woman

Examples

Synonyms

nosy
vsmeddlesome
  • Offensive
60 3.4

Too interested in other people's private life in an annoying way

implies actual interference and annoyance rather than only prying curiosity
intrusive
vsmeddlesome
52 6.1

Entering where you are not wanted and disturbing someone's privacy

focuses more on repeated meddling behaviour rather than physical or spatial intrusion
busy
vsmeddlesome
  • Offensive
9 7.5

Showing too much interest in other people's affairs

is the term for a recurring tendency to interfere rather than a one-off intrusion
nosey
vsmeddlesome
  • UK
8 5.5

Showing too much interest in other people's private lives

is about active interference and annoyance rather than merely curious interest
officious
vsmeddlesome
5 8.6

Too ready to give help or advice when people do not want it

describes the same unwelcome involvement but without emphasizing eagerness to help
snoopy
vsmeddlesome
1 8.4

A person who is too interested in other people's private lives

covers systematic interference and annoying involvement rather than only curious prying
meddling
vsmeddlesome
5.0

Being involved in other people's matters when not wanted

is the general trait word highlighting an ongoing tendency to interfere
interfering
vsmeddlesome
5.7

A person who tries to control other people's lives

is broader, naming a habitual tendency rather than the single act of involvement
busy-bodied
vsmeddlesome
  • Offensive
8.4

A person who tries to find out or change other people's private lives

is the more neutral description of a tendency to interfere without that officious tone

Antonyms

8 6.7

Not attracting attention or standing out to others

3.7

Not willing to show feelings or talk much

How Interfering

intrusive
52 6.1
officious
5 8.6
meddlesome
8 7.2
nosy
  • Offensive
60 3.4
inquisitive
25 4.4

Surface Forms

meddlesome positive

Morphology

meddlesome = meddle (transparent) = meddle + some

Formed from the verb 'meddle' plus the adjectival suffix '-some' meaning 'tending to', so the meaning is directly predictable.

Etymology

The word meddlesome comes from the verb meddle, which originally came from an old French word meaning 'to mix', and the ending -some means 'full of'. So a meddlesome person 'mixes' into other people's business, which is why the word means 'tending to interfere'.