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

The Sonos Ace do an excellent job muffling ambient noise on airplanes. —Prakhar Khanna, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024

Many of these devices are equipped with noise-cancelling technology that muffles the ambient sound of the world—honking cars, yelling children, clacking keyboards—by emitting vibrations of the opposite frequency. —Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2024

The sound machine function is great for creating the right amount of white noise or muffling distracting outside sounds in cities. —Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 10 Aug. 2024

In their view, the NIH sought to muffle the views of people who opposed animal testing and wanted to discuss this online. —Ed Silverman Reprints, STAT, 30 July 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