meddle with

USAGE SUMMARY

"meddle with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who is interfering too much in something or making changes without permission. For example: "I don't appreciate my neighbor's constant meddling with my garden."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Man must not meddle with this.

Independent

Banks should not meddle with politicians.

The Guardian - Opinion

So you want to meddle with the press!

Princeton University

Yet politicians' attempts to meddle with pay have often backfired.

The Economist

In the White Act there is less to meddle with.

Independent

Don't meddle, and nobody will meddle with you.

The New York Times

"People who don't think enough shouldn't meddle with the constitution".

The Guardian

"We don't want to meddle with a good thing," said Vandiver.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The court seems unlikely to meddle with the town's 14-year tradition.

The Economist

They worry that Yahoo will meddle with it and disrupt the site's subtle social core.

The Economist

"We don't want a situation where politicians will be able to meddle with this system".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "meddle with" to describe unwanted or inappropriate interference, particularly when someone is trying to change something without permission or expertise.

Common error

While "meddle with" is widely understood, in highly formal or professional writing, consider using more neutral or precise alternatives like "intervene in" or "influence" to maintain a tone of objectivity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "meddle with" is as a phrasal verb. It acts as a verb phrase indicating interference or unwanted involvement. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage in various contexts, as well as confirms its correct and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

20%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the analysis reveals that "meddle with" is a common and grammatically sound phrasal verb used to express disapproval of unwanted interference. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English. While versatile, it's best to consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives like "interfere with" or "intervene in" for professional or academic writing. The primary contexts of use are news and media, academia and science, suggesting a broad but nuanced application. Remember, using "meddle with" effectively involves recognizing its inherent connotation of disapproval and adjusting your language accordingly to suit your intended audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

interfere with

Implies a more direct and potentially disruptive involvement.

tamper with

Suggests making unauthorized or harmful alterations.

intervene in

Focuses on entering a situation to change or affect it.

intrude on

Highlights the act of entering without invitation or right.

monkey with

Informal term suggesting clumsy or inept interference.

mess around with

Suggests casual, often unproductive, interference.

butt in

Emphasizes interrupting or interfering in a conversation or matter.

get involved in

Suggests participation, which might be unwanted or inappropriate.

horn in

Informal way to say someone is interfering or intruding.

stick your nose in

Idiomatic expression for interfering in other people's business.

FAQs

What does "meddle with" mean?

"Meddle with" means to interfere in something that is not your concern, often in a way that is unwanted or annoying.

What can I say instead of "meddle with"?

You can use alternatives like "interfere with", "tamper with", or "intervene in" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "meddle with" in formal writing?

While "meddle with" is commonly understood, in formal contexts, it's often better to use more neutral alternatives like "intervene" or "influence" to maintain a professional tone.

How is "meddle with" different from "interfere with"?

"Meddle with" often implies a petty or annoying level of interference, while "interfere with" can suggest a more significant or disruptive involvement.