muffled

1.形容詞B2

釋義

used for a sound that reaches you in a softened, partly blocked way, so it seems low and hard to hear clearly

例句

The band sounded muffled because the speakers were still behind thick curtains.

be muffled because sound is blocked by something

From the basement, Noor heard muffled laughter above the kitchen floorboards.

同義詞

muted
often suggests reduced strength or brightness, especially in sound or colour
faint
focuses on weak volume rather than blocked clarity
indistinct
more formal and stresses that details are hard to make out

反義詞

clear
easy to hear and understand without anything blocking the sound
sharp
strong and distinct, often with more edge than 'clear'

文法句型

be muffled

muffled + sound/voice/reply

sound + muffled through/behind + barrier

用法筆記

Usually describes speech, music, footsteps, or other sounds heard through cloth, walls, doors, or distance. It suggests the sound is not only quiet, but also blocked or blurred on its way to you.

常見錯誤

❌The singer was muffled because she sang softly.

✅The singer sounded quiet because she sang softly.

💡'Muffled' usually means the sound is blocked or covered, not simply low in volume.

1.動詞及物C1

釋義

to cover, block, or pad something so that the noise it makes becomes less strong and less clear

例句

The stage crew muffled the drum with a folded towel before rehearsal.

muffle + sound source + with + material

Minho closed the heavy door to muffle the noise from the hallway.

同義詞

dampen
often used for reducing sound, force, or movement in a technical or physical way
deaden
slightly stronger and more formal, especially for making sound less sharp
soften
broader and less physical; it can describe making sound gentler without blocking it

反義詞

amplify
to make a sound louder instead of reducing it
carry
of sound, to travel clearly rather than being absorbed

文法句型

muffle + sound/noise/voice

muffle + object + with + material

muffle + object + to + infinitive

用法筆記

The object is usually a sound source or the sound itself, such as a drum, footsteps, a voice, or noise from another room. Distinguish from sense 2 (COVER TO HIDE), where the main result is covering or protecting the object rather than reducing what you hear.

常見錯誤

❌She muffled the radio for hiding it.

✅She muffled the radio with a blanket to soften the sound.

💡This sense is about reducing noise, so the sentence needs a sound-related result.

2.動詞及物C2

釋義

to wrap or cover someone or something closely so that it is hidden, protected, or kept warm

例句

The grandmother muffled the baby in a thick shawl before stepping outside.

muffle + person + in + covering

Indra muffled the lamp with a dark cloth so no light escaped.

同義詞

wrap
the everyday word for putting cloth or paper around something
swaddle
much narrower, mainly used for wrapping a baby tightly
envelop
more literary and often suggests complete surrounding

反義詞

uncover
to remove what is covering something
unwrap
to take off the material around an object

文法句型

muffle + person/object + in + material

muffle + person/object + with + material

be muffled in + clothing/covering

用法筆記

Often followed by 'in' or 'with' plus the covering material. Distinguish from sense 1 (QUIETEN SOUND): here the object itself is being closely covered or hidden, even if no sound is involved.

常見錯誤

❌He muffled the passport to avoid losing it.

✅He muffled the passport in a cloth pouch to keep it hidden and safe.

💡This sense needs an actual covering around the thing.

3.動詞及物C2

釋義

to stop a feeling, sound, or reaction from becoming fully noticeable or openly expressed

例句

Manuela tried to muffle a laugh during the school assembly.

muffle + laugh or other reaction

Asher pressed his lips together to muffle a scream when the lights went out.

同義詞

suppress
stronger and more formal, often suggesting deliberate control
stifle
often used for holding back a sound or emotion inside yourself
check
more literary and means stopping something from growing or showing itself

反義詞

express
to show a feeling or idea openly
release
to let a feeling or sound come out instead of holding it back

文法句型

muffle + laugh/scream/cry

muffle + emotion/reaction

muffle + protest/complaint/joke

用法筆記

Most often takes nouns such as laugh, scream, anger, complaint, or excitement. It suggests holding something partly down rather than removing it completely; for a stronger, more final idea, 'suppress' is often more direct.

常見錯誤

❌She muffled the meeting after lunch.

✅She muffled her annoyance during the meeting after lunch.

💡This sense takes a reaction, feeling, or expression, not the whole event.

muffled

muffled — adjective

1. used for a sound that reaches you in a softened, partly blocked way, so it seems

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤

muffled — verb

1. to cover, block, or pad something so that the noise it makes becomes less strong

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤

2. to wrap or cover someone or something closely so that it is hidden, protected, o

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤

3. to stop a feeling, sound, or reaction from becoming fully noticeable or openly e

文法句型

用法筆記

常見錯誤