muffle

verb

muf·fle | \ ˈmə-fəl

muffled; muffling\ ˈmə-f(ə-)liŋ

Definition of muffle

transitive verb

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

2 obsolete : blindfold

3a : 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 & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about muffle

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Synonyms & Antonyms for muffle

Synonyms

mute, stifle

Antonyms

unmuffle

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

Noise specialist Tom Zurburg of the Michigan Department of Transportation said the agency is planning to install sound walls to muffle the noise. — Dixita Limbachia, Detroit Free Press, "Sound walls planned for I-75 in Oakland County: What we know," 17 June 2019 Now he has been entombed in a thick brick of a biography that muffles his court wizardry with clunky prose and potted history. — Edward Kosner, WSJ, "‘Arthur Ashe’ Review: A Hard Road to Glory," 17 Aug. 2018 The world is quiet, covered with sound-muffling snow. — James Lynch, Popular Mechanics, "The Joys of Shoveling Snow," 3 Dec. 2018 Skillings told police the driver blared music from the Jeep to try and muffle the sound of the gunfire, the affidavit said. — Everton Bailey Jr., OregonLive.com, "Shooting suspect tells cops gunfire was retaliation for 2017 death, records show," 23 Apr. 2018 Anything that muffles sound without other benefit is superfluous in racing unless required by the rule book. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "Open mind, wide open throttle: We go to our first NASCAR race," 15 Nov. 2018 What to say: When talking to tweens about romantic drama, make long stories short and muffle your emotions — especially those involving harsh judgment. — Valerie Frankel, Good Housekeeping, "Answering the Trickiest Questions," 8 June 2012 The resounding click-clack muffles the murmur of anticipation as the train inches up the wooden structure. — Matt Blitz, Popular Mechanics, "From Death Traps to Disneyland: The 600-Year History of the Roller Coaster," 13 Aug. 2018 Jack intoned, less convincingly this go-round behind a muffling hand. — Mike Kerrigan, WSJ, "My Brother the Car Horn," 27 Nov. 2018

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