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.
Noun
When buyers flood the market, dealers can charge more even if spot barely budges. — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026 The iconic blue peel-off stain for all-day lip color feels like nothing on your lips and is transfer-proof, budge-proof and won't feather into lines. — ABC News, 19 May 2026
Verb
There are some things Diaz doesn’t budge on. — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026 Whether the night is elaborate or pared down, Stewart’s central rule has not budged. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026
Adjective
Nike hasn’t seen its emissions budge in the past decade, despite promises to sharply reduce them. — Rob Davis, ProPublica, 6 Sep. 2024 These spritzes have the same no-budge hold on makeup as any other setting mist, but the key difference lies in their radiant—not matte or shimmery—finishes. — Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 21 Apr. 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

See All Rhymes for budge

Browse Nearby Words

Budenny
budge
budgeree
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Budge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/budge. Accessed 7 Jul. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on budge

Nglish: Translation of budge for Spanish Speakers

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