Meddling: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when someone involves themselves in matters that do not concern them, often leading to negative consequences. It has a negative connotation.

• Stop meddling in my personal affairs!
• Her meddling caused more problems than solutions.

Used when someone gets involved in a situation where their input is not wanted and often complicates things. It can have a broader use than 'meddling' and may not always be negative.

• The loud noise interfered with my concentration.
• Try not to interfere with their relationship.

Used to describe the act of unwelcomely entering someone else’s space or a situation. This word often implies physical presence and has a negative connotation.

• I didn't mean to intrude, but I heard you talking about me.
• The reporter intruded on their private moment.

Used when someone intrudes or involves themselves in an area or situation where they are not welcome, often for their own gain. It is rarely used in everyday conversation and has a negative implication.

• The old pirate was known to interlope on foreign trades.
• He was seen as an interloper in the exclusive club.

Meddling is used when someone is interfering in someone else's affairs without permission and often causing problems. This term has a negative connotation.

• She was always meddling in her friends' relationships, which caused unnecessary drama.
• His constant meddling in the company's internal matters annoyed the staff.

Interference means getting involved in something in a way that is not wanted or is obstructive. It often carries a negative connotation, implying interruption or unwanted influence.

• The interference of the government in the company's policies created significant turmoil.
• She resented the interference from her family in her personal decisions.

Intercession refers to intervening on behalf of someone, often in a formal or religious context, to plead for their cause or seek a favor. It is usually seen in a more positive and altruistic light.

• The priest's intercession was believed to have saved the village from disaster.
• His earnest intercession with the manager led to a reconsideration of the decision.

Intervention is commonly used to describe stepping in to prevent or alter a situation, typically to improve it. This term can be neutral or positive, depending on the context.

• The timely intervention of the firefighters prevented the building from burning down.
• Medical intervention was necessary to save the patient's life.