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

Fortunately, there’s an easy solution: Wear earplugs or headphones that muffle the blasts. —Angela Haupt, TIME, 27 June 2024

White noise is made up of different frequencies, creating a background sound that can muffle potential disturbances. —Russell De Jong, Washington Post, 24 June 2024

He was photographed making funny faces, trying to cover his mother’s mouth and screaming while covering his ears to muffle the sounds of overhead military planes. —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2024

Sun shone through the canopies as the crickets and the gentle breeze muffled the light hum of cars passing on the Wilbur Cross Parkway nearby. —Shahrzad Rasekh, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English muflen

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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