Illustration of muzzle
- muzzle 2a
1
: the projecting jaws and nose of an animal : snout
2
a
: a fastening or covering for the mouth of an animal used to prevent eating or biting
b
: something (such as censorship) that restrains normal expression
3
: the open end of an implement
especially
: the discharging end of a weapon
Examples of muzzle in a Sentence
Verb
a dangerous dog that should be muzzled
attempts by the government to muzzle the press
The company has tried to muzzle its employees by forbidding them to speak to the press.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023
All the company had to do was remove a bayonet lug and stop selling folding rifle stocks and threaded muzzles.
—James Bandler, ProPublica, 21 Nov. 2023
But the lawsuit said facts were omitted from the state’s report on the investigation, including that the credit card used to buy the muzzle had been lost and canceled for over a year.
—Jonathan Mattise, Fortune Well, 1 Nov. 2023
Basket-style muzzles provide adequate ventilation while preventing access to poop.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 24 July 2023
Janes reports that crucial details of the weapon, like muzzle velocity and projectile weight, are being kept confidential.
—Kelsey D. Atherton, Popular Science, 1 Nov. 2023
According to the National Park Service, Grazer is a large adult female, boasting a long straight muzzle, light brown summer fur, and blond ears.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Oct. 2023
According to the National Park Service (NPS), 128 Grazer is a bodacious adult female bear with blonde ears and a straight muzzle.
—Lizzy Rosenberg, Peoplemag, 11 Oct. 2023
Coyotes have smaller and narrower muzzles and relatively longer ears, both of which are often reddish in color, giving them a distinctive fox-like profile.
—Paul Richards, Field & Stream, 14 Sep. 2023
Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Nov. 2023
Chutkan is hearing the January 6 case against Trump brought by special counsel Jack Smith and has decided to partially muzzle Trump with an order that is nonsensical and possibly unconstitutional.
—Rich Lowry, National Review, 20 Oct. 2023
All week long, unidentified Republican Party puppet masters have muzzled House members, scrambling to portray unity in the face of the disarray emanating from today’s leaderless House GOP.
—Matt Laslo, WIRED, 13 Oct. 2023
Often the mere specter of danger is enough to muzzle any dissent, Xiao said.
—Christopher Kuo, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2023
Bravo shot back following the accusations, saying that their NDAs are meant to keep storylines confidential, not to muzzle individuals from reporting alleged mistreatment.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2023
Second, the legislative branch will be neutralized and GOP objectors muzzled.
—Time, 12 July 2023
The incident comes as Modi tries to quell religious violence in two states governed by his party and widespread allegations about the BJP muzzling critics.
—Time, 3 Aug. 2023
Alternatively, hikers who encounter Black bears should attempt to escape if possible; if not, the Park Service advises fighting back with a focus on the bear’s face or muzzle.
—Teddy Grant, ABC News, 24 July 2023
See More
Noun
In one photo officials shared, Nova wears a black muzzle and looks off into the distance while wrapped up in a blanket.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023
All the company had to do was remove a bayonet lug and stop selling folding rifle stocks and threaded muzzles.
—James Bandler, ProPublica, 21 Nov. 2023
But the lawsuit said facts were omitted from the state’s report on the investigation, including that the credit card used to buy the muzzle had been lost and canceled for over a year.
—Jonathan Mattise, Fortune Well, 1 Nov. 2023
Basket-style muzzles provide adequate ventilation while preventing access to poop.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 24 July 2023
Janes reports that crucial details of the weapon, like muzzle velocity and projectile weight, are being kept confidential.
—Kelsey D. Atherton, Popular Science, 1 Nov. 2023
According to the National Park Service, Grazer is a large adult female, boasting a long straight muzzle, light brown summer fur, and blond ears.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Oct. 2023
According to the National Park Service (NPS), 128 Grazer is a bodacious adult female bear with blonde ears and a straight muzzle.
—Lizzy Rosenberg, Peoplemag, 11 Oct. 2023
Coyotes have smaller and narrower muzzles and relatively longer ears, both of which are often reddish in color, giving them a distinctive fox-like profile.
—Paul Richards, Field & Stream, 14 Sep. 2023
Verb
The honest truth is the national security law is designed to muzzle voices, it's designed to stop stories from being told.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Nov. 2023
Chutkan is hearing the January 6 case against Trump brought by special counsel Jack Smith and has decided to partially muzzle Trump with an order that is nonsensical and possibly unconstitutional.
—Rich Lowry, National Review, 20 Oct. 2023
All week long, unidentified Republican Party puppet masters have muzzled House members, scrambling to portray unity in the face of the disarray emanating from today’s leaderless House GOP.
—Matt Laslo, WIRED, 13 Oct. 2023
Often the mere specter of danger is enough to muzzle any dissent, Xiao said.
—Christopher Kuo, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2023
Bravo shot back following the accusations, saying that their NDAs are meant to keep storylines confidential, not to muzzle individuals from reporting alleged mistreatment.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2023
Second, the legislative branch will be neutralized and GOP objectors muzzled.
—Time, 12 July 2023
The incident comes as Modi tries to quell religious violence in two states governed by his party and widespread allegations about the BJP muzzling critics.
—Time, 3 Aug. 2023
Alternatively, hikers who encounter Black bears should attempt to escape if possible; if not, the Park Service advises fighting back with a focus on the bear’s face or muzzle.
—Teddy Grant, ABC News, 24 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'muzzle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English mosel, from Middle French musel, from Old French *mus mouth of an animal, from Medieval Latin musus
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of muzzle was
in the 15th century
Articles Related to muzzle
Dictionary Entries Near muzzle
Cite this Entry
“Muzzle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muzzle. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
muzzle
2 of 2 verb
muzzled; muzzling
ˈməz-(ə-)liŋ 
1
: to put a muzzle on
2
: to prevent free or normal expression by : gag
the dictator muzzled the press
More from Merriam-Webster on muzzle
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for muzzle
Nglish: Translation of muzzle for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of muzzle for Arabic Speakers
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