as in muted
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in stifled
to deaden the sound of
the walls muffled their conversation so that only a low murmur was heard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wrapped
to surround or cover closely
the airport had been muffled in fog all morning long
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of muffled
Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 27 Apr. 2026
Brian Gibson’s gangrenous bass riffs and gibbering, muffled vocals have even more gonzo energy than usual, while Chippendale mixes bombast and finesse with his customary flair.
—Reed Jackson, SPIN, 24 Apr. 2026
Day was dedicated to the bit, making Hernandez crack with muffled laughter.
—Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
That quiet was punctuated only by muffled bangs, as Sugar Bowl ski patrollers set off explosives in the peaks above to mitigate the danger of an avalanche inbounds at the resort.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 20 Feb. 2026
My sisters teased me about my muffled giggles under the covers in the middle of the night.
—Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
However, her panicked words are met with muffled sounds and a quick hang-up.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
Her voice is muffled because her face is pressed against his chest.
—Allegra Goodman, New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2026
The form can capture, perhaps better than any other, the muffled quality of cold afternoons and days spent indoors.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 26 Dec. 2025
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2026
He’s perched on the second floor above the courtyard, a few bustling parties muffled in the background.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
Other symptoms include ringing, a sensation like something is stuck in the ears or conversations sounding muffled.
—ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026
While Hazel Avenue is a busy street, traffic cannot be heard from inside the house and is muffled in the front yard.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026
The sound of a backstage vocal warmup was muffled by thick stage curtains.
—Melanie Asmar, Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2026
Bunny, wearing a knitted Balaclava and carrying a clip board, called out commands to the chief electrician in a voice muffled with pain.
—Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
Using context-aware algorithms, this technology can, for example, be used to help distinguish between speech and noise, predict and suppress unwanted clamor in real time, and attempt to clean up speech that is muffled or distorted.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Jan. 2026
The boy buried his face in his hands, and the thick nest of hair shook as if in a wind, and the sobs, though muffled, grew louder.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Those inside the nearby ballroom could hear muffled pops.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 27 Apr. 2026
Brian Gibson’s gangrenous bass riffs and gibbering, muffled vocals have even more gonzo energy than usual, while Chippendale mixes bombast and finesse with his customary flair.
—Reed Jackson, SPIN, 24 Apr. 2026
Day was dedicated to the bit, making Hernandez crack with muffled laughter.
—Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
That quiet was punctuated only by muffled bangs, as Sugar Bowl ski patrollers set off explosives in the peaks above to mitigate the danger of an avalanche inbounds at the resort.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 20 Feb. 2026
My sisters teased me about my muffled giggles under the covers in the middle of the night.
—Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
However, her panicked words are met with muffled sounds and a quick hang-up.
—Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
Her voice is muffled because her face is pressed against his chest.
—Allegra Goodman, New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2026
The form can capture, perhaps better than any other, the muffled quality of cold afternoons and days spent indoors.
—The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 26 Dec. 2025
Verb
Their replies are muffled by their hands blocking their mouths.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2026
He’s perched on the second floor above the courtyard, a few bustling parties muffled in the background.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
Other symptoms include ringing, a sensation like something is stuck in the ears or conversations sounding muffled.
—ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026
While Hazel Avenue is a busy street, traffic cannot be heard from inside the house and is muffled in the front yard.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026
The sound of a backstage vocal warmup was muffled by thick stage curtains.
—Melanie Asmar, Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2026
Bunny, wearing a knitted Balaclava and carrying a clip board, called out commands to the chief electrician in a voice muffled with pain.
—Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
Using context-aware algorithms, this technology can, for example, be used to help distinguish between speech and noise, predict and suppress unwanted clamor in real time, and attempt to clean up speech that is muffled or distorted.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Jan. 2026
The boy buried his face in his hands, and the thick nest of hair shook as if in a wind, and the sobs, though muffled, grew louder.
—George Packer, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muffled
Adjective
-
Its pretty plaid is in muted tones on good-quality, abrasion-resistant material, with a minimalist shape that anchors a room.—
Gretta Monahan,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In their own muted ways, her colleagues agreed.—
Mark Dee
April 28,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Loons’ defense stifled Dallas striker Petar Musa, who came into the game leading MLS with nine goals this season.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
23 Apr. 2026
-
While personal fans have been a fashionable accessory since before the Victorian era, the category has been stifled by a lack of innovation for a while.—
Andrew Gebhart,
PC Magazine,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In photos from that night, a museum guard is seen handcuffed in the basement, his head wrapped in duct tape.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Researchers recently identified food DNA on the Shroud of Turin — a finding that suggests the burial cloth believed to have wrapped Jesus Christ may have been contaminated over time.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Due to their softened texture, the bones are generally safe, but there are exceptions.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
21 Apr. 2026
-
No mixer required This recipe calls for softened butter, and for stirring everything together in one-bowl, so no mixer is required!—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The process of peer review is often shrouded in secrecy to allow colleagues to criticize one another without professional repercussions, but one paper found that special issues tend to have faster turnaround times for articles, as well as lower rejection rates.—
Anil Oza,
STAT,
24 Apr. 2026
-
With just eight elegant rooms, perched high above the hustle and bustle of wine country, guests are shrouded in peace and quiet, as if in the clouds.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But there’s also the pan brioche (Italian brioche bread) with anchovies and butter and puntarelle enveloped in a savory anchovy hug; the agnolotti del plin, dumplings shining in a glossy butter and sage sauce, are not to be missed either.—
CNT Editors,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
His heart was completely enveloped in fluid.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Before guests were offered a selection of pastries, sparkling water, and Champagne, Steinem held court from her red chair as guests drifted over to share their hushed gratitude.—
Savannah Walsh,
Vanity Fair,
22 Apr. 2026
-
That a hushed ballad would be so widely embraced is remarkable.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Adding to its appeal, the kitchen opens to the glass enclosed sunroom.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
-
To the left is a relaxed deck for post-dip chilling; to the right is the beautifully restrained restaurant, partly enclosed in a glasshouse with an undulating canopy roof.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Muffled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muffled. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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