What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
muffle
Example
He tried to muffle the sound of his cough with a pillow. [muffle: verb]
Example
The thick curtains helped to muffle the sound from outside. [muffle: verb]
dampen
Example
The rain dampened our plans for a picnic. [dampened: past tense verb]
Example
The negative feedback dampened her motivation to continue. [dampened: past participle adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dampen is more commonly used than muffle in everyday language. Dampen is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while muffle is less common and refers specifically to reducing sound or noise.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between muffle and dampen?
Both muffle and dampen are relatively formal words, but dampen may be slightly more common in informal contexts due to its versatility.
