meddlesome
Always butting in
Meddlesome describes someone who interferes in matters that aren't their concern.
A meddlesome neighbor monitors your comings and goings; a meddlesome relative offers unsolicited advice about your marriage.
The word carries disapproval—meddlesome people aren't helpful, they're intrusive: Her meddlesome questions about my finances annoyed me.
Intrusively curious
- intrusiveInvading others' privacy
- pryingIntrusively inquisitive
- busybodyIntrusive meddler
- snoopingSecretly investigating others
officious · overbearing · pushy · interfering · butting in · unwanted advice · micromanaging · controlling
Relatives through marriage
- mother-in-lawSpouse's maternal parent
- relativesThose connected by blood
- matchmakingArranging romantic connections
- family dramaConflict among relatives
helicopter parent · overbearing mother · nagging · hovering · smothering · overprotective · boundary crossing · aunties
Unconfirmed circulating story
- tattlingReporting others' wrongdoing
- scandalmongerSpreader of shameful rumors
- whisperingBreathy, near-silent speech
- backbitingSpiteful talk about others
tittle-tattle · eavesdropping · blabbing · neighborhood watch · curtain twitcher · chattering · telltale · informer
Deliberate disruption of operations
- foreign interferenceOutsiders manipulating domestic matters
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- plottingDevising a secret plan
espionage · destabilizing · subversion · proxy · puppet master · pulling strings · covert operations · regime change
nosy
Intrusively curious
snooping · officious · overbearing · pushy · interfering · butting in · unwanted advice · micromanaging · controlling · overstepping
in-laws
Relatives through marriage
- mother-in-lawSpouse's maternal parent
- relativesThose connected by blood
- matchmakingArranging romantic connections
family drama · helicopter parent · overbearing mother · nagging · hovering · smothering · overprotective · boundary crossing · aunties · elders
rumor
Unconfirmed circulating story
- tattlingReporting others' wrongdoing
- scandalmongerSpreader of shameful rumors
- whisperingBreathy, near-silent speech
backbiting · tittle-tattle · eavesdropping · blabbing · neighborhood watch · curtain twitcher · chattering · telltale · informer · snitch
sabotage
Deliberate disruption of operations
- foreign interferenceOutsiders manipulating domestic matters
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- schemingCrafty and calculating
plotting · espionage · destabilizing · subversion · proxy · puppet master · pulling strings · covert operations · regime change · disinformation
- micromanagementhovering, nitpicking, overcontrol, hand-holding, interference
- nosy peoplebusybody, snoop, snooper, eavesdropper, nosy parker
meddlesomehands-off
Not directly involved
uninvolved · unobtrusive · laissez-faire · disengaged · mind-your-own-business