1
as in muting
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 wrapping
to surround or cover closely
the airport had been muffled in fog all morning long
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of muffling
The active noise cancellation actually blocks sounds, instead of offering that fake muffling nonsense.
—
PC Magazine, 22 Nov. 2025
Money floods into affected districts, muffling outrage precisely when constituents are most enraged.
—John J. Donohue, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
The music, which ranges from Motown to '80s alternative, enlivens the room without muffling conversations.
—Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Aug. 2025
PC Magazine, 22 Nov. 2025
Money floods into affected districts, muffling outrage precisely when constituents are most enraged.
—John J. Donohue, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
The music, which ranges from Motown to '80s alternative, enlivens the room without muffling conversations.
—Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muffling
Verb
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For much of the past year, neither side was willing to budge much from their respective stance, effectively muting any chance of a settlement.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
1 Dec. 2025
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The shell has enough shape to ease pressure on bony spots of the foot, and the liner offers just enough cushion to keep toes warm and circulation flowing, without muting feedback.—
Jenny Wiegand,
Outside,
13 Nov. 2025
Verb
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To protect your tender young woody plants and trees, use a wire cage, DIY wire cloche, or a hard (chew-proof) plastic wrap meant for wrapping around the trunk.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Honestly, that's key for me, wrapping it up early.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Moore’s task against Indiana’s stifling defense would have been daunting even with all his weapons.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Jan. 2026
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The immense costs associated with the program have only worsened the economic situation, leading to a more stifling environment.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Use enveloping headboards and upholstered wall panels to create a sense of calm and intimacy in a bedroom.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Jan. 2026
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While Walz is not implicated in these cases, the reality that this has become an urgent problem under his watch and generated questions about his performance as governor, enveloping talk of the Minnesotan's future political ambitions.—
Hunter Woodall,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Jittery drum programming and shrouding reverb screams Minneapolis in the ‘80s, but the wonky thump and the multiplicity of vocal tracks are just as suggestive of D’Angelo or the raw pain of a Frank Ocean.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
2 Dec. 2025
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While reflecting on the gossip fueled by her and Powell's chemistry both on and offscreen with Variety, Sweeney refuted the idea that the rom-com's stars leaned into the mystery shrouding their relationship.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Details-wise, Johnson is seeing an uptick in adding brass rods, enclosing bookshelves with a textured wallpaper, or adding unique millwork design flourishes that aren’t in a standard Shaker-style.—
Kate Jerde,
Architectural Digest,
28 Dec. 2025
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Identifying a suitable location for a deep geological nuclear facility is as complex as the construction itself, requiring vast, stable rock formations capable of safely enclosing an underground repository.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The window encasing the passenger compartment is perhaps the most striking aspect, and, if the car is ever built, will have an interesting windshield wiper setup.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
7 Oct. 2025
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For instance, fusion doesn’t require all the expensive, nuclear-grade concrete that creates a protective dome encasing traditional nuclear radiation.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Muffling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muffling. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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