1
as in to mute
to deaden the sound of
the walls muffled their conversation so that only a low murmur was heard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to wrap
to surround or cover closely
the airport had been muffled in fog all morning long
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of muffle
The day would be almost ideal for hunting, with the woods and ground wet enough to muffle sound.
—
Bill Thomas, Outdoor Life, 24 Apr. 2025
Conventional foam earplugs, while affordable and somewhat effective at reducing volume, tend to muffle sound indiscriminately, creating an underwater listening effect that diminishes musical clarity and detail.
—Shelby Knick, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
In Nashville, Tennessee, city officials passed ordinances aimed at muffling extremist activity after more frequent demonstrations by such groups, including an instance in July when demonstrators rushed the council chambers, forcing closure of the gallery.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025
The blustery winds muffled the clank of wheels and thud of hooves.
—Andrew Lawler, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muffle
Bill Thomas, Outdoor Life, 24 Apr. 2025
Conventional foam earplugs, while affordable and somewhat effective at reducing volume, tend to muffle sound indiscriminately, creating an underwater listening effect that diminishes musical clarity and detail.
—Shelby Knick, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
In Nashville, Tennessee, city officials passed ordinances aimed at muffling extremist activity after more frequent demonstrations by such groups, including an instance in July when demonstrators rushed the council chambers, forcing closure of the gallery.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025
The blustery winds muffled the clank of wheels and thud of hooves.
—Andrew Lawler, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muffle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muffle
Verb
-
When hatred is this blatant, and the response from institutions and leaders is muted or muddled, something foundational is eroding. Antisemitism has always been a threat, but its resurgence, and frightening acceptance, in mainstream American life is dangerous and disorienting.—
Larry Hogan,
Baltimore Sun,
4 June 2025
-
That said, any impact the jobs report had on the stock market was muted.—
Paolo Confino,
Fortune,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Phineas and Ferb is officially returning to the Disney Channel after wrapping its fourth season in 2015.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
7 June 2025
-
The decision comes shortly after the two shows wrapped their 2024-25 seasons: Alert aired its last episode on May 27, and The Cleaning Lady finished up on June 3.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
This approach, while designed for mass instruction, often stifles the very curiosity that makes learning exciting.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
Huawei has become the face of China’s tech ambitions — and of U.S. attempts to stifle them.—
Shannon Carroll,
Quartz,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
The footage of the Birch Glacier's collapse on Wednesday showed a violent surge of ice, rock and mud followed by a dense dust cloud that quickly enveloped the Alpine village of Blatten, with homes disappearing beneath thick brown sludge.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
-
From rich, indulgent creams that envelop your skin in a comforting cocoon of moisture to lightweight, gel-like formulas that absorb without a trace, there’s something for everyone.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
26 May 2025
Verb
-
Read: An unlikely model for male friendship Friendship often plays like a horror movie; the director, Andrew DeYoung, deploys techniques that shroud the story in suspense: dramatic cinematography, slow zooms, an off-putting lo-fi score.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
28 May 2025
-
The book-to-screen adaptation has been shrouded in controversy since the movie press tour kicked off the summer of 2024.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
The hutch’s walls are enclosed with sturdy wire grids that keep your cats safely inside (and other critters out), while allowing fresh air to flow freely and offering an unobstructed view.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
7 June 2025
-
More fossils will be needed to know if the prehistoric waterwheels grew snap traps to enclose small aquatic invertebrates, like its modern counterparts, but the lineage was already present during a time when the world was warmer and wetter, and mammals were just beginning to get big.—
Riley Black,
Smithsonian Magazine,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
It is currently stored safely on-site at reactor locations in dry casks, encased in steel and concrete.—
Bill Frist,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
For that reason, the researchers started by encasing the chemical molecules in durable silica nanoparticles.—
Ben Coxworth
May 26,
New Atlas,
26 May 2025
Verb
-
The property encompasses a generous 0.3-acre of land.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
30 May 2025
-
The class encompasses information about exercises to prepare the mother for birth, relaxation and coping techniques, pain control options, labor positioning, induction and C-section basics, recovery and welcoming baby.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Muffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muffle. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share