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
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Recent Examples of muffle
The day would be almost ideal for hunting, with the woods and ground wet enough to muffle sound.
—
Bill Thomas, Outdoor Life, 24 Apr. 2025
Conventional foam earplugs, while affordable and somewhat effective at reducing volume, tend to muffle sound indiscriminately, creating an underwater listening effect that diminishes musical clarity and detail.
—Shelby Knick, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
In Nashville, Tennessee, city officials passed ordinances aimed at muffling extremist activity after more frequent demonstrations by such groups, including an instance in July when demonstrators rushed the council chambers, forcing closure of the gallery.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025
The blustery winds muffled the clank of wheels and thud of hooves.
—Andrew Lawler, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muffle
Bill Thomas, Outdoor Life, 24 Apr. 2025
Conventional foam earplugs, while affordable and somewhat effective at reducing volume, tend to muffle sound indiscriminately, creating an underwater listening effect that diminishes musical clarity and detail.
—Shelby Knick, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
In Nashville, Tennessee, city officials passed ordinances aimed at muffling extremist activity after more frequent demonstrations by such groups, including an instance in July when demonstrators rushed the council chambers, forcing closure of the gallery.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025
The blustery winds muffled the clank of wheels and thud of hooves.
—Andrew Lawler, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for muffle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muffle
Verb
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When hatred is this blatant, and the response from institutions and leaders is muted or muddled, something foundational is eroding. Antisemitism has always been a threat, but its resurgence, and frightening acceptance, in mainstream American life is dangerous and disorienting.—
Larry Hogan,
Baltimore Sun,
4 June 2025
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That said, any impact the jobs report had on the stock market was muted.—
Paolo Confino,
Fortune,
4 June 2025
Verb
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Phineas and Ferb is officially returning to the Disney Channel after wrapping its fourth season in 2015.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
7 June 2025
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The decision comes shortly after the two shows wrapped their 2024-25 seasons: Alert aired its last episode on May 27, and The Cleaning Lady finished up on June 3.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2025
Verb
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To be a woman is to be fraught with stifling expectations about how to look, act, dress and be.—
Violet Goldstone,
Footwear News,
5 June 2025
-
The argument goes that laws like CEQA in part drive the housing and infrastructure crises in blue states that are stifling the party’s political fortunes.—
Liam Dillon,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
Verb
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Meticulously designed, the impressive home is set on a secluded estate enveloped by exquisite gardens, concealed from public view to ensure total privacy.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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Though the two shows are quite distinct, Wilford, who is curating her final show for MoCA after moving to the Memphis Art Museum in January, hopes viewers will be able to envelop themselves in each.—
DOUGLAS MARKOWITZ,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Read: An unlikely model for male friendship Friendship often plays like a horror movie; the director, Andrew DeYoung, deploys techniques that shroud the story in suspense: dramatic cinematography, slow zooms, an off-putting lo-fi score.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
28 May 2025
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The book-to-screen adaptation has been shrouded in controversy since the movie press tour kicked off the summer of 2024.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
Verb
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The hutch’s walls are enclosed with sturdy wire grids that keep your cats safely inside (and other critters out), while allowing fresh air to flow freely and offering an unobstructed view.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
7 June 2025
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More fossils will be needed to know if the prehistoric waterwheels grew snap traps to enclose small aquatic invertebrates, like its modern counterparts, but the lineage was already present during a time when the world was warmer and wetter, and mammals were just beginning to get big.—
Riley Black,
Smithsonian Magazine,
6 June 2025
Verb
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The story of vodka is the story of modern America, encased in a clear, flavorless spirit that appears neutral but retains cultural power.—
Time,
Time,
4 June 2025
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The Swiss watch brand has teamed up with Italian soccer team Como 1907 on the Hublot Classic Fusion Como Edition, a 42-mm chronograph encased in a sleek black ceramic case with a deep blue dial.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
4 June 2025
Verb
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The agency compared the bill with current tax law, which encompasses Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
13 June 2025
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All four Republicans voted for the procedural rule that encompasses the rescissions package, which is not surprising.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Muffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muffle. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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