tampering

Verb

tamper (third-person singular simple present tampers, present participle tampering, simple past and past participle tampered)

1. (intransitive) To make unauthorized or improper alterations, sometimes causing deliberate damage; to meddle (with something).
   • tamper detection

   Synonyms:

   interfere

2. (intransitive) To try to influence someone, usually in an illegal or devious way; to try to deal (with someone).
   • Prosecutors argued that he would tamper with witnesses if bail was granted.
3. (dated) To meddle (with something) in order to corrupt or pervert it.
   • […] No Art used to inflame him, no Coquetry practised to tempt or intice him, and no Prudery or Affectation to tamper with his Passions; but, on the contrary, artless and unpractised in the Wiles of the World, all her Endeavours, and even all her Wishes, tended only to render herself as un-amiable...1741, Samuel Richardson, “To my worthy Friend, the Editor of PAMELA”, in Pamela, volume 1, London: C. Rivington and J. Osborn, page xii

   Synonyms:

   debauch, lead astray, seduce, adulterate, corrupt, demoralize, detort, file, immoralize, pervert

4. (obsolete) To involve oneself (in a plot, scheme, etc.).
   • […] he was beheaded upon the Defeat of the Conspiracy for having but thus far tampered in it.1716, Joseph Addison, The Free-holder, No. 31, 6 April, 1716, London: D. Midwinter and J. Tonson, p. 180
5. (obsolete) To attempt to practise or administer something (especially medicine) without sufficient knowledge or qualifications.
   • Certainly it is a scurvy strong troublesom purge, therefore ill to be tamperd with by the unskilful […]1649, Nicholas Culpeper, transl., A Physicall Director, London: Peter Cole, page 29
6. (Canada, US) To discuss future contracts with a player, against league rules.

   Synonyms:

   tap up

See all 9 meanings of tamper