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

David’s mother buried her head into her husband’s shoulders, trying to muffle her cries. —Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2026

Bunny, wearing a knitted Balaclava and carrying a clip board, called out commands to the chief electrician in a voice muffled with pain. —Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026

Taylor Logsdon, who lives close to the power plant and is part of a community group opposing the project, said the sound wall hasn’t done much to muffle the turbines or reassure neighbors. —Bracey Harris, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026

The heavy snow will muffle the sound -- or thunderclap -- so it can only be heard up to about three miles. —February 22, CBS News, 22 Feb. 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