tampering — the action of interfering with something in order to cause damage or make unauthorized alterations
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: the action of interfering with something in order to cause damage or make unauthorized alterations
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈtæmpərɪŋ/
Example Sentences
- The detective discovered signs of tampering on the victim's smartphone.
- My little brother was caught tampering with my diary again - he changed 'crush' to 'pizza' everywhere!
- The security system alerts us immediately if there's any tampering with the vault.
tampering
NOUN[/ˈtæmpərɪŋ/]
the action of interfering with something in order to cause damage or make unauthorized alterations
The shady mechanic was caught tampering with the opponent's race car engine.
TAMP(pack down) + ER(person) — the criminal was TAMPING the dirt to hide the footprint, clearly tampering with the evidence.
"Tampering? They're hampering!" (Tampering means secretly interfering with someone else's contract or affairs.)
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from 16th-century French 'temper', originally meaning 'to knead clay' or 'to mix'. Over time, the meaning evolved to denote the act of touching or altering something, eventually acquiring the negative connotation of unauthorized or improper interference.
Breakdown
temper (to handle, adjust, or meddle with) + -ing (suffix forming the present participle and gerund, indicating an action or state).
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The detective discovered signs of tampering on the victim's smartphone.”
“My little brother was caught tampering with my diary again - he changed 'crush' to 'pizza' everywhere!”
“The security system alerts us immediately if there's any tampering with the vault.”
“She accused her roommate of tampering with her leftover pizza by adding pineapple.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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