MUFFLED Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

muffled 1 of 2

adjective

as in muted

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muffled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of muffle

as in stifled

to deaden the sound of the walls muffled their conversation so that only a low murmur was heard

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in wrapped

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 muffled

Adjective

His work ranged from the muffled light and shadow of his early landscapes to the snappy glamour of his fashion photography and celebrity portraits (Greta Garbo, Charlie Chaplin, Anna May Wong). — Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2026 There are certain sound FX still giving you feedback, but muffled shootouts are refreshingly scary. — Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 4 Sep. 2026 Like all my feelings are muffled music playing underwater, not erased, but quieter, harder to reach. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026 The bear had sought refuge in it, and as the houndsman and his friends pulled up in sight of it, the muffled squeals of the dogs, which had instantly followed the bear in, told the men that the pack was getting smaller every minute. — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026 The video’s moodiness subtly underscores the fact that the lion’s share of these tracks are built on one muffled breakbeat, which tolls like clockwork across the LP. — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 23 July 2026 Barreto’s muffled voice is heard responding. — Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 28 June 2026 From the pig trailer came a bang, followed by a muffled squeal. — Will MacKin, New Yorker, 28 June 2026 The company warns, in the muffled prose of a risk factor, that a credit downgrade could push up its borrowing costs and even change the terms of its data-center leases. — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Verb

The generational distance that has muffled the pain of 2001 is also seen in California’s varied educational approach. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Things between David and the other characters are awkward and muffled rather than climactic. — Emma Alpern, Vulture, 7 Sep. 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 Educational lectures at the aquarium and the sounds of traffic on the street both came through clearly, not remotely muffled. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 30 July 2026 Everything feels muffled, with such heavy carpeting. — Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026 Their replies are muffled by their hands blocking their mouths. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2026 He’s perched on the second floor above the courtyard, a few bustling parties muffled in the background. — Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026 Other symptoms include ringing, a sensation like something is stuck in the ears or conversations sounding muffled. — ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for muffled

Adjective

The royal’s past trips to Scotland and Ireland have been a showcase for her muted autumnal style with an earthy edge.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026
With his muted facial expressions, Xi is a difficult leader to read.

— Orville Schell, Foreign Affairs, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of muted

Verb

The pipeline offered a way for Saudi Arabia to shift exports to the Red Sea and avoid the Persian Gulf’s Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian attacks have stifled the movement of oil tankers.

— Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
The developments further strain Saudi Arabia's effort to get its oil to market while avoiding the Strait of Hormuz, the choke point at the mouth of the Persian Gulf where Iranian attacks have stifled shipping.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of stifled

Verb

According to the legislature’s nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis, overtime spending in the 2025-26 fiscal year, which wrapped last June 30, approached $338 million, up almost 7% over the prior year.

— Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
Several cast members have also died since the show wrapped, including Michelle Trachtenberg, Nicholas Brendon and Anthony Head.

— Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of wrapped

Adjective

The violins dig into the first three notes of a rising theme — only to tumble suddenly into a hushed dance, which Mahler marks grazioso.

— Justin Davidson, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
But when, 30 minutes in, the discussion turns to the man who had more impact on Wasim’s cricketing career than any other, the answers become more hushed and halting.

— James Wallace, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of hushed

Verb

The shoes featured a high-cut vamp that enveloped most of the front of the foot, with visible seams going down the center of the vamp and along the sides, providing more structure for the soft leather shoes.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of enveloped

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 enclosed

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muffle

muffled

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Style

“Muffled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muffled. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of muffled

adjective

verb

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