muffle

verb

muf·​fle ˈmə-fəl 

muffled; muffling ˈmə-f(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to wrap up so as to conceal or protect : envelop

2

obsolete : blindfold

3

a

: to wrap or pad with something to dull the sound

muffle the oarlocks

b

: to deaden the sound of

4

: keep down, suppress

muffled her anger

Synonyms of muffle

• mute
• stifle

Examples of muffle in a Sentence

They tried to muffle the noise.

I could hear their muffled voices from the next room.

Recent Examples on the Web

As Eileen was illegitimate and a source of great shame for the family, her aunt tried to muffle signs of her presence. —Literary Hub, 8 May 2026

Everything feels muffled, with such heavy carpeting. —Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026

The walls of the buildings are thick, and within each room are heavy drapes and carpeting that muffle any sounds. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Apr. 2026

Their replies are muffled by their hands blocking their mouths. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English muflen

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for muffle

• duffel
• duffle
• ruffle
• scuffle
• shuffle
• truffle
• reshuffle

Kids Definition

muffle

verb

muf·​fle ˈməf-əl 

muffled; muffling ˈməf-(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to wrap up so as to conceal or protect

2

: to deaden the sound of

muffle a cry