meddlesomeness
Habit of prying
Meddlesomeness is the quality of interfering in matters that don't concern you.
A meddlesome person offers unsolicited advice, pries into others' affairs, or inserts themselves where they weren't invited.
Her meddlesomeness in her adult children's marriages caused years of tension.
The word carries strong disapproval—curiosity might be forgiven, but meddlesomeness implies unwelcome intrusion.
Intrusively inquisitive
- snoopingSecretly investigating others
- nosinessHabit of prying
- eavesdroppingSecretly listening to others
- intrudingEntering without welcome
trespassing · encroachment · invading · uninvited · unwelcome · overstepping · breach · invasion
Intruding in others' affairs
- tamperingImproper interference with something
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
- hindranceBarrier to progress
- interlopingEntering others' affairs uninvited
intervention · sabotage · disruption · interposition · buttinsky · busybody · encumbrance · impediment
Rude disregard for propriety
- impudenceShameless boldness toward superiors
- officiousnessExcessive eagerness to assist
- forwardnessUndue familiarity or boldness
- boldnessFearless readiness to act
audacity · cheek · brass · gall · nerve · tactlessness · indiscretion · inappropriate
Arrogantly dominating in manner
- bossyToo fond of directing others
- controllingExerting authority over others
- high-handedDomineering without regard for others
- imperiousArrogantly authoritative
dictatorial · authoritarian · tyrannical · bullying · coercive · oppressive · heavy-handed · micromanaging
Causing mild frustration
- bothersomeCausing mild annoyance
- aggravatingCausing irritation or worsening
- exasperatingIntensely irritating
- vexatiousCausing annoyance or distress
irksome · troublesome · annoying · pestiferous · nagging · pestering · galling · tiresome
prying
Intrusively inquisitive
- snoopingSecretly investigating others
- nosinessHabit of prying
- eavesdroppingSecretly listening to others
intruding · trespassing · encroachment · invading · uninvited · unwelcome · overstepping · breach · invasion · penetration
interfering
Intruding in others' affairs
- tamperingImproper interference with something
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
- hindranceBarrier to progress
interloping · intervention · sabotage · disruption · interposition · buttinsky · busybody · encumbrance · impediment · complication
impertinence
Rude disregard for propriety
- impudenceShameless boldness toward superiors
- officiousnessExcessive eagerness to assist
- forwardnessUndue familiarity or boldness
boldness · audacity · cheek · brass · gall · nerve · tactlessness · indiscretion · inappropriate · unwarranted
overbearing
Arrogantly dominating in manner
- bossyToo fond of directing others
- controllingExerting authority over others
- high-handedDomineering without regard for others
imperious · dictatorial · authoritarian · tyrannical · bullying · coercive · oppressive · heavy-handed · micromanaging · smothering
irritating
Causing mild frustration
- bothersomeCausing mild annoyance
- aggravatingCausing irritation or worsening
- exasperatingIntensely irritating
vexatious · irksome · troublesome · annoying · pestiferous · nagging · pestering · galling · tiresome · wearisome
meddlesomenessnon-interference
Abstaining from meddling
nonintervention · laissez-faire · detachment · uninvolvement · aloofness
meddlesomenessrestraint
Control over impulses
discretion · reserve · self-restraint · circumspection · reticence