fudge

1 of 2

verb

ˈfəj 

fudged; fudging

transitive verb

1

a

: to devise as a substitute : fake

b

: falsify

fudged the figures

2

: to fail to come to grips with : dodge

fudged the issue

intransitive verb

1

: to exceed the proper bounds or limits of something

… feel that the author has fudged a little on the … rules for crime fiction …

—Newsweek

also : cheat

fudging on an exam

2

: to fail to perform as expected

3

: to avoid commitment : hedge

… the government's tendency to fudge on delicate matters of policy.

—Claire Sterling

fudge

2 of 2

noun

1

: a soft creamy candy made typically of sugar, milk, butter, and flavoring

2

: foolish nonsense

—often used interjectionally to express annoyance, disappointment, or disbelief

3

: something that is fudged

especially : a bending of rules or a compromise

Synonyms of fudge

Verb

• weasel
• shake

Noun

• nuts
• nonsense
• garbage
• drool
• rubbish
• jazz
• blah
• stupidity
• silliness
• bunk
• beans

Examples of fudge in a Sentence

Verb

Politicians have been known to fudge the issues.

The treasurer fudged the figures.

It was later discovered that the researchers had fudged their data.

Noun

We bought three kinds of fudge.

His response to these charges has been a series of denials and fudges.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Ritz's new Drizzled Mini Crackers are on their way to convenience stores nationwide in both fudge and caramel flavors. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 Jan. 2026

Note the disco Buffett fudge box below. —Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025

Noun

The kind of person that bakes their brownies until just barely set, the center staying as dense and soft as fudge? —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026

According to an Instagram post by the popular bagel shop, a hot sea salt sesame bagel is getting adorned by oyster mushrooms, pumpkin bushi, black pepper, a savory rose fudge, nasturtium and bergamot. —Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1674, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1766, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing fudge

• fudge factor
• hot fudge
• hot fudge sauce
• hot fudge sundae

Rhymes for fudge

• budge
• drudge
• frage
• grudge
• judge
• mudge
• nudge
• rudge
• sludge
• smudge
• trudge
• adjudge

Kids Definition

fudge

1 of 2 verb

ˈfəj 

fudged; fudging

1

: to change (something) in order to trick people

fudged the figures

2

: to avoid being open or direct : hedge

politicians fudging on the issues

fudge

2 of 2 noun

1

: foolish nonsense

2

: a soft creamy candy made typically of milk, sugar, butter, and flavoring