verb
tamper
TAM-puh
verb
1
To interfere with something in an unauthorized or harmful way.
"Someone had tampered with the lock overnight."
"It's a crime to tamper with evidence."
2
To try to influence someone improperly, often illegally.
"The defendant was accused of tampering with a witness."
How to Use Tamper
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo meddle with something you shouldn't, usually to damage, alter, or corrupt it.
Common mistake
Always takes "with" — you tamper with something, not tamper something.
Common pairings
tamper with evidence
tamper with a witness
tamper with a lock
Word Forms
tampered past tense, tampers plural, tampers singular
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Someone had _____ with the lock overnight.
Etymology
From tamp ("to pack down firmly") plus the agent/frequentative suffix -er.