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
Verb
Honest leaders cannot tolerate lying, fudging data, misrepresenting themselves or their companies, or engaging in any other conduct that displays contempt for the truth. Bruce Weinstein, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 The results were damning: Wirecard had been fudging its numbers. Joel Khalili, WIRED, 26 Feb. 2024 The tax agency is launching audits to see if companies fudge deductions for their jets, which number more than 10,000 in the United States. Bynick Rockel, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2024 So, with a little rounding, and a bit of fudging with fractions, it could be said that Friday fell almost exactly five-ninths of the way through winter. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2024 At issue is whether Hershey fudged on the packaging of seasonal treats. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 8 Jan. 2024 Luckily, these questions are easy to fudge or finesse. Callum Borchers, WSJ, 14 Dec. 2023 And that, analysts say, has been an invitation for unscrupulous sellers to fudge — and for some shippers to adopt a see-no-evil approach. TIME, 23 Oct. 2023 But ride-hail drivers say that sometimes the rules of the road need to be fudged. Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 14 Aug. 2023
Noun
These pans can be fun, but are best used in no-bake applications, like making fudge or ice cream. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2024 Fill your tray with 30 nuggets, 10 Chick-n-Minis (during breakfast hours) a dozen chocolate fudge brownie halves, or 6 chocolate chunk cookies (prices $9.80-$19.19). Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2024 Taste handmade fudge, caramel apples or original recipe ice cream at Kilwins Black Mountain, then kick back in a rocking chair to watch the downtown buzz. Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Customers can choose between nuggets, Chick-n-Minis, chocolate fudge brownie halves, or chocolate chunk cookies to fill their tray. Angela Rodriguez, Sacramento Bee, 8 Feb. 2024 For real fudge connoisseurs, Iva Jean also offers a monthly fudge subscription. Laurie Larsh, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Plus delicious side dishes and shareable desserts like strawberry shortcake, classic key lime pie, and vegan chocolate fudge cake. Amanda Mesa, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 For the sweet tooth: Fudge pop-up at Westfield UTC A company with a 30-year-old family fudge recipe is stopping by San Diego for the holidays. Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Dec. 2023 There may have been hats or fudge, but there wasn’t always, say, a patch with an image of the most enormous booming prairie chicken. Paul Nicolaus, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fudge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 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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