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muffle

verb

ˈmə-fəl How to pronounce muffle (audio)
Definition of mufflenext
1
as in to mute
to deaden the sound of the walls muffled their conversation so that only a low murmur was heard

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to wrap
to surround or cover closely the airport had been muffled in fog all morning long

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of muffle Polite, slightly puzzling debates over the merits of using concrete in Africa muffle the period’s scalding passions and incandescent dreams. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2026 The actress wears a toasty-looking fur hat and sits cross-legged on the floor, the Canadian road traffic muffling her voice slightly. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 Buell tried to muffle the sound by putting her hands over her ears. — Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026 Now the sound was muffled from the hunters as the dogs passed around a canebrake wall bordered by a dark bayou. — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for muffle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muffle
  1. mute
  2. wrap
  3. stifle
  4. envelop
  5. enclose
  6. shroud
  7. encase
  8. encompass
Verb
  • Contrast between adjacent elements is muted, so nothing leads the eye.
    — Lorenzo Alvaro, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Stock returns may be ‘muted’ Higher interest rates are traditionally thought to be a headwind for stocks, since higher borrowing costs can eat into businesses’ bottom lines and slow consumer spending.
    — Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of mute
Verb
  • The pass the Netherlands forward wrapped into Alexander Isak’s feet was perfect.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Lined in vegan leather and wrapped in vegan suede, this eco-conscious buy is as soft as it is structured.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of wrap
Verb
  • Shipping has been stifled in the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world's oil supply flowed prior to the war.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In Foam, Zambreno has further figured out how to express love for art amidst the often-stifling pressures of daily life as a perpetual adjunct, parent, and renter with no financial safety net.
    — Catherine G. Wagley, ARTnews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of stifle
Verb
  • After driving to the 1-yard line, Sean McVay called a quarterback sneak, one that ended with Stafford being enveloped in an avalanche of bodies, including Warner’s.
    — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Earth is enveloped by an atmosphere that consists of about 78 percent nitrogen gas (N2).
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of envelop
Verb
  • For multi-generation families that want to stay together, Benton Cottage offers the perfect base, containing four bedrooms and bathrooms, a living room, dining room, kitchen, and enclosed back yard.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Racing Bull’s Arvid Lindblad did point out that there’s flexibility to make changes at Madring compared to the likes of Baku or Monaco, street circuits enclosed by buildings.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of enclose
Verb
  • Across Indonesia, seasonal forest fires are beginning to subside, but thick haze still shrouds parts of the island of Kalimantan.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The interviews all happen along Tel Aviv’s rooftops with the interviewees shrouded in darkness.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of shroud
Verb
  • Rescue efforts have focused on the various hydropower projects dotted along the Trishuli River where hundreds of workers are trapped after last week’s flash floods encased the facilities in mud.
    — Kosh Raj Koirala, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The Choco Taco featured light vanilla ice cream encased in a waffle cone, partially covered with milk chocolate and topped with peanuts.
    — Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of encase
Verb
  • Duarte’s writing features detailed prose and a moving storyline, encompassing grief, healing, and the losses borne by a Latinx family in the name of American patriotism.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Two seats are up for election this cycle; District 3, which stretches along northern Ada County from downtown Boise to Star, and District 4, which encompasses Kuna and southern Ada County.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of encompass

Browse Nearby Words

muffing
muffle
muffled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Muffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muffle. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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