fudge

1 of 2

verb

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 fictionNewsweek
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 policyClaire Sterling

fudge

2 of 2

noun

1
: foolish nonsense
often used interjectionally to express annoyance, disappointment, or disbelief
2
: a soft creamy candy made typically of sugar, milk, butter, and flavoring
3
: something that is fudged
especially : a bending of rules or a compromise

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
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.
Verb
Functioning as a parent requires you to reconcile freedom and fear on a daily basis just in order to step out of your front door every morning; to fudge the data enough to balance the hope of having kids against the horror of having them here. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2025 Enjoy walking tours, a jigsaw puzzle contest, cider and doughnuts, a scavenger hunt, bike tours, live music, fudge making, nature hike, a mural, pumpkin carving, s'mores, photo sessions, watercolor class, Fort Mackinac cannon firing and more, the tourism bureau said. Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
The placard in the bakery notes that the Chocolate Fudge Cake is a four-layer chocolate cake with fudge filling and a rich fudge icing. Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025 The options included pumpkin fudge, caramel apples, homemade marshmallows, Dutch cookies, cotton candy, popcorn and lavender and pomegranate lemonade. Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fudge

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 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fudge was in 1674

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fudge. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

fudge

1 of 2 verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on fudge

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