fudge

verb

\ ˈfəj

fudged; fudging

Definition of fudge

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : 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

noun

Definition of fudge (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about fudge

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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

The mining race is meant to be hard so that no one can dominate the accounting and fudge the records. — Nathaniel Popper, New York Times, "There Is Nothing Virtual About Bitcoin’s Energy Appetite," 21 Jan. 2018 But also: People who don't know all of the intricate laws surrounding intellectual property often fudge the rules. — Jacqueline Detwiler, Popular Mechanics, "Why Does Every Tech Ad Use the Same Song? Because of This Man.," 26 Feb. 2019 As the heat on him has grown, so have the concerns about his temperament, his history of drinking, and his willingness to fudge the truth on small details. — Emily Stewart, Vox, "Everything that’s happened since the Ford-Kavanaugh hearing, explained," 2 Oct. 2018 Either way, any pile of living or once-living ingredients eventually becomes compost, recognizable as a dark brown, crumbly fudge with a woodsy smell. — Lee Reich, The Seattle Times, "Fall is the perfect time to build a compost bin," 16 Oct. 2018 Ultimately, there’s no way to mathematically fudge your way past encounters. — Steven Strom, Ars Technica, "Hollow Knight beats Metroid, Dark Souls at their own brutal game," 28 July 2018 Casting a shadow over the process is the Irish border issue, still considered the most complex problem in the negotiations, one that provoked a crisis in December before a fudged, last-minute compromise was reached. — Stephen Castle, New York Times, "U.K. Reaches Brexit Transition Deal With E.U.," 19 Mar. 2018 Another article in The New York Post has similarly fudged Maurer’s partisan affiliation to make the same point. — Jeet Heer, The New Republic, "Does criticizing Trump make his base like him more?," 24 June 2018 Fifteen years of forced hard labor, bound ankle to wrist in chains, simply wasn’t proportionate to the offense of fudging a payroll ledger. — Clifton Leaf, Fortune, "Brainstorm Health: Cruel and Unusual, Amazon and PillPack, Biotech IPO Madness," 28 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Andrews uses vanilla ice cream, but chocolate fanciers can go that route, or get the best of both worlds by using fudge ripple. — Adam Ried, BostonGlobe.com, "Recipes: Refresh your St. Patrick’s Day menu with Irish seafood and a Guinness dessert," 9 Mar. 2018 Battaglia Deli offers menu for sale, including fudge, soft pretzels, and pickles. — Luann Gibbs, Cincinnati.com, "Free and fun things to do in Cincinnati this weekend," 21 Mar. 2018 Maple fudge and honey aromas led to apple skin, ripe apricot, steely minerality, mouth-filling softness and a distinct, nutty finish. — Michael Austin, The Seattle Times, "Trentodoc is the budget answer to Champagne you need to know," 11 Sep. 2018 The vanilla and chocolate cream bases are both made with Hennessy VSOP cognac. Salted caramel, caramelized golden peanuts, butterscotch, dark chocolate croquant, whipped cream, hot fudge and a chocolate crown decorate the dessert. — Fox News, "The world's most expensive ice cream and frozen treats," 3 Aug. 2016 Policies that set dishonest prices or fudge budgets can fuel the growth of government and lure voters leftward. — Steve H. Hanke And Stephen J.k. Walters, WSJ, "Lying Prices Keep America Hooked on Spending," 7 Jan. 2019 Products: Apples, half-runner beans, honey, homemade pies, kale chips, cookies, eggs, wine, gift soaps, jelly, jam, marmalade, red velvet fudge brownies, sweet potatoes, okra, zucchini. — Nancy Daly, Cincinnati.com, "The calendar says spring. Can farmers markets be far behind?," 23 Apr. 2018 Put me down for a slice of seven-layer chocolate cake with soft, fudge-like frosting. — Providence Cicero, The Seattle Times, "Central Smoke’s Asian-accented, down-home barbecue adds fire and spice to chilly nights," 25 Oct. 2018 Though the dishes are constantly changing, expect items like porcini with egg yolk fudge in a wild mushroom broth, and bay scallop with celtuce, pine nuts, and little gem. — Jenna Scatena, Condé Nast Traveler, "32 Best Restaurants in San Francisco," 1 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fudge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.