tampered

IPA/ˈtæm.pər/
KK[tˈæmpɚd]IPA/ˈtæm.pɚ/

tampered — verb

  • tamperedpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • tampereds3rd person singular
  • tampereding-ing form
  • tamperededpast simple

1. to secretly handle or change something that is not yours to touch, often without

1.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to secretly handle or change something that is not yours to touch, often without the right knowledge or permission, which may cause damage or make it stop working properly

例句

The lock had been tampered with, so Wren knew someone had broken into the flat.

passive: had been tampered with

Someone had tampered with the car's brakes before the accident, and Ritu noticed the damage.

collocation: tampered with [vehicle part]

同義詞
  • meddle

    implies interfering in something that is not your concern, often in a bothersome way

  • interfere with

    more general; can mean preventing something from working correctly

  • fiddle with

    informal; suggests casual or careless handling without serious harm

反義詞
  • leave alone

    to not touch or change something

  • respect

    to handle something properly and according to rules

文法句型

tamper + with + noun phrase

用法筆記

Always used with the preposition 'with'. The passive form (be tampered with) is very common, especially when describing objects that have been secretly interfered with.

常見錯誤

❌Don't temper with the lock.
✅Don't tamper with the lock.
💡'Temper' is a different word meaning to strengthen metal or control emotions.
❌He tampered the evidence.
✅He tampered with the evidence.
💡This sense always requires 'with' after 'tamper'.

2. to secretly approach and pressure people connected to a court case — for example

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to secretly approach and pressure people connected to a court case — for example witnesses or jurors — with the aim of affecting the outcome, often through threats or bribery

例句

The lawyer was accused of tampering with a witness in the murder trial.

collocation: tampering with a witness

Amani warned the jury not to let anyone tamper with their decision.

collocation: tamper with + [jury decision]

同義詞
  • intimidate

    focuses on threatening, especially a witness, to make them silent

  • bribe

    offering money specifically, rather than any form of influence

  • interfere with

    broader legal term; can apply to evidence, witnesses, or the legal process

文法句型

tamper + with + legal participant (witness / jury / evidence)

用法筆記

Primarily used in legal contexts. The compound nouns 'witness tampering' and 'jury tampering' are common legal terms. The verb always takes the preposition 'with'.

常見錯誤

❌He tampered the witness.
✅He tampered with the witness.
💡The preposition 'with' is required even in the legal sense.
❌She was guilty of tampering justice.
✅She was guilty of tampering with the course of justice.
💡'Tamper' is not transitive; you tamper with something.

tampered — noun