Muzzle: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to refer to a device placed over an animal's snout to prevent it from biting or eating. It can also be used metaphorically to describe silencing someone.

• The dog wore a muzzle to stop it from biting strangers.
• The government tried to muzzle the press to prevent bad publicity.

Typically used in sports or dental contexts to describe a device worn in the mouth to protect teeth from injury or grinding.

• Players are required to wear mouth guards during the hockey game.
• She wore a mouth guard at night to stop herself from grinding her teeth.

Generally used to describe a measure or device that limits movement or actions, often with a negative connotation when used on people or animals.

• The patient was placed in restraints to prevent self-injury.
• The use of restraints on animals can be considered inhumane.

Used to describe physically covering an animal's mouth to prevent it from biting or barking. It can also be used metaphorically to describe preventing someone from speaking out.

• The dog must wear a muzzle when going to the park.
• The authorities tried to muzzle the protesters by closing the park.

Commonly used to describe the act of preventing someone from talking or making noise. This can be in a gentle way, such as asking for silence in a library, or in a more forceful way, which can carry a negative connotation.

• Please silence your phones during the movie.
• The government attempted to silence dissenting voices.

Often used in a broader sense to talk about stopping or holding back something, such as emotions, information, or uprisings. It usually implies a strong effort to keep something under control, sometimes with a negative connotation.

• He had to suppress his laughter during the serious meeting.
• The regime tried to suppress the news of the protests.