fudge

1 of 2

verb

ˈfəj 

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 fiction …

—Newsweek

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 policy.

—Claire Sterling

fudge

2 of 2

noun

1

: a soft creamy candy made typically of sugar, milk, butter, and flavoring

2

: foolish nonsense

—often used interjectionally to express annoyance, disappointment, or disbelief

3

: something that is fudged

especially : a bending of rules or a compromise

Synonyms of fudge

Verb

• weasel
• shake

Noun

• nuts
• nonsense
• garbage
• drool
• rubbish
• jazz
• blah
• stupidity
• silliness
• bunk
• beans

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

Verb

Romig, the former agency official, told me that there are various ways to fudge the numbers. —E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 7 May 2026

During the 1950s and 1960s, this was the go-to fudge recipe in America. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 6 May 2026

Noun

Soon, no one will have to travel very far for Beaver nuggets, a crawfish boil table, homemade fudge, spiced Saltines, or a bucket of bacon grease. —Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 14 May 2026

For dessert a must have is the signature Hula pie, made with macadamia nut ice cream with a chocolate crust and chocolate fudge. —Richard Guzman, Daily News, 13 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1836, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1774, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fudge

• fudge factor
• hot fudge
• hot fudge sauce
• hot fudge sundae

Rhymes for fudge

• budge
• drudge
• frage
• grudge
• judge
• mudge
• nudge
• rudge
• sludge
• smudge
• trudge
• adjudge

Kids Definition

fudge

1 of 2 verb

ˈfəj 

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