tamper

IPA/ˈtæm.pər/
KK[tˈæmpɚ]IPA/ˈtæm.pɚ/

tamper — verb

  • tamperpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • tampers3rd person singular
  • tampering-ing form
  • tamperedpast simple

1. to handle or alter a piece of equipment, a document, or a system when you are no

1.verbintransitiveC1
Definition

to handle or alter a piece of equipment, a document, or a system when you are not allowed to, often resulting in damage or malfunction

Example

Someone had tampered with the lock on the back door of the shop.

tamper with + physical object (lock/door)

The patient records in the hospital system had been tampered with.

passive: had been tampered with

Common collocations
  • tamper with evidence
  • tamper with a device
  • tamper with the brakes
  • tamper with records
  • tamper with a lock
Synonyms
  • interfere with

    more general, can be accidental or intentional

  • fiddle with

    informal, often implies clumsy or unnecessary handling

  • meddle with

    implies unwelcome involvement in something you are not part of

Antonyms
  • leave alone

    the opposite action — not touching something at all

  • secure

    to protect something from being tampered with

Grammar Patterns

tamper with + object (device/evidence/lock/files)

Usage Note

Tamper is almost always followed by the preposition 'with' in this sense. The passive construction ('had been tampered with') is especially common in formal writing and news reports.

Common Mistakes

He tampered the computer.
He tampered with the computer.
tamper must be followed by 'with'; it cannot take a direct object.

2. to try to persuade, pressure, or pay a person connected with a court case — such

2.verbintransitiveC1
Definition

to try to persuade, pressure, or pay a person connected with a court case — such as a witness or a juror — with the aim of changing what happens in court

Example

The lawyer was accused of trying to tamper with the main witness.

tamper with + witness (legal context)

Trang's cousin was arrested for tampering with evidence in the robbery case.

tampering with evidence (criminal charge)

Common collocations
  • tamper with a witness
  • tamper with the jury
  • tamper with evidence
  • witness tampering
Synonyms
  • bribe

    narrower — focuses on offering money or gifts, not threats

  • intimidate

    narrower — focuses on threats, not persuasion or bribery

  • suborn

    formal legal term; specifically means to induce a witness to lie

Grammar Patterns

tamper with + witness/jury/evidence

Usage Note

This sense is restricted to legal or judicial contexts. The related noun phrase 'witness tampering' is a common formal legal term. Distinguish from sense 1 (INTERFERE WITH), which applies to objects and systems rather than people involved in legal proceedings.

Common Mistakes

The mechanic tampered with the witness.
The mechanic tampered with the car's brakes.
sense 2 applies only to people in legal cases, not to objects.
Phrasal verbs

tamper with

phrasal verb

to make unauthorized changes to or interfere with something, especially in a way that causes damage or prevents correct operation

The investigation found clear signs that the lock had been tampered with.

Saira warned the staff not to tamper with the security system settings.

tamper — noun