budge

1 of 3

noun

ˈbəj How to pronounce budge (audio)
Synonyms of budge
: a fur formerly prepared from lambskin dressed with the wool outward

budge

2 of 3

verb

budged; budging

intransitive verb

1
: move, shift
the mule wouldn't budge
2
: to give way : yield
wouldn't budge on the issue

transitive verb

: to cause to move or change

budge

3 of 3

adjective

archaic
: pompous, solemn

Synonyms of budge

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Verb

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Examples of budge in a Sentence

Verb Their horses refused to budge. The door was stuck, and we couldn't even get it to budge. Could you try opening this jar for me? I can't budge the lid. We tried to change her mind, but we couldn't budge her.
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
Meanwhile, the Kremlin has so far not budged on its maximalist demands to end the war. — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026 The library, citing the toys' age and their talent in attracting tens of thousands of visitors a year, wouldn't budge, Brandreth said. — Steve Hendrix The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026 So Nantz delivered a solid blow to the ball, which didn’t budge in Watt’s arms. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 But with Ha-Meem’s energy bills rising from roughly $200,000 to $300,000 every day, and clients refusing to budge on prices, there is a relentless drive to boost efficiency. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for budge

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English bugee, from Anglo-French buge

Verb

Anglo-French bouger, from Vulgar Latin *bullicare, from Latin bullire to boil — more at boil

Adjective

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1578, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Adjective

1599, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of budge was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing budge

Rhymes for budge

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Browse Nearby Words

Budenny
budge
budgeree
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Cite this Entry

“Budge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/budge. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

budge

verb
ˈbəj
budged; budging
1
: move entry 1 sense 1
2
: give in, yield
wouldn't budge on their opinion
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