What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
muffle
Example
He muffled his cough with his hand. [muffled: past participle]
Example
She tried to muffle her sobs with a pillow. [muffle: verb]
silence
Example
The silence in the library was deafening. [silence: noun]
Example
The teacher silenced the class by raising her hand. [silenced: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Silence is more commonly used than muffle in everyday language. Silence is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while muffle is less common and refers to a specific method of reducing sound.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between muffle and silence?
While muffle is typically associated with an informal tone, silence is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.