muffle

verb

muf·​fle ˈmə-fəl 

muffled; muffling ˈmə-f(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

1

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

2

obsolete : blindfold

3

a

: 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

• mute
• stifle

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

Don’t: Rely on Just a Sleep Mask Instead: Use Reusable Ear Plugs, Too $29 at Amazon For anyone who needs silence to fall asleep, Young recommends packing a pair of ear plugs to muffle any distracting noises. —Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2025

The suspect cut into the lock just as a train entered the station to muffle the sound, the video shows. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025

Sporting a series of baggy Hawaiian shirts and ever-present sunglasses, Goggins muffles his indelible charisma under Rick’s shroud of defensive anger and melancholy. —Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 11 Feb. 2025

Singing close to the mic sometimes muffled her lyrics, making the songs sound like atmospheric jam sessions rather than clear performances. —Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English muflen

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for muffle

• duffel
• duffle
• ruffle
• scuffle
• shuffle
• truffle
• reshuffle

Kids Definition

muffle

verb

muf·​fle ˈməf-əl 

muffled; muffling ˈməf-(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to wrap up so as to conceal or protect

2

: to deaden the sound of

muffle a cry