fudge

1 of 2

verb

fudged; fudging

transitive verb

1
a
: to devise as a substitute : fake
b
: falsify
fudged the figures
2
: to fail to come to grips with : dodge
fudged the issue

intransitive verb

1
: to exceed the proper bounds or limits of something
feel that the author has fudged a little on the … rules for crime fictionNewsweek
also : cheat
fudging on an exam
2
: to fail to perform as expected
3
: to avoid commitment : hedge
the government's tendency to fudge on delicate matters of policyClaire Sterling

fudge

2 of 2

noun

1
: foolish nonsense
often used interjectionally to express annoyance, disappointment, or disbelief
2
: a soft creamy candy made typically of sugar, milk, butter, and flavoring
3
: something that is fudged
especially : a bending of rules or a compromise

Examples of fudge in a Sentence

Verb Politicians have been known to fudge the issues. The treasurer fudged the figures. It was later discovered that the researchers had fudged their data. Noun We bought three kinds of fudge. His response to these charges has been a series of denials and fudges.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Oddly enough, while films in the past have sometimes tried to improve their chances by passing themselves off as Comedies or Musicals, this year, a number of female contenders might have been better off fudging the other way. Nate Jones, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2024 Over the course of those 90 minutes (which the film, with a run time of 1 hour and 49 minutes, fudges a bit) whatever can go wrong already has, will, or is in the process of going wrong, swirling around the preternaturally calm eye of the storm, Lorne. Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 4 Oct. 2024
Noun
The nose features caramel, dark chocolate, toffee fudge, dates, fig jam, charred oak, and old leather. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024 For older guests, the painting classes and fudge and wine tasting are must-dos. Beth Luberecki, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fudge 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1674, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1766, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fudge was in 1674

Dictionary Entries Near fudge

Cite this Entry

“Fudge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fudge. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

fudge

1 of 2 verb
fudged; fudging
1
: to change (something) in order to trick people
fudged the figures
2
: to avoid being open or direct : hedge
politicians fudging on the issues

fudge

2 of 2 noun
1
: foolish nonsense
2
: a soft creamy candy made typically of milk, sugar, butter, and flavoring

More from Merriam-Webster on fudge

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