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

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
Commissioners levy taxes, make appropriations, adopt budges and make appointments to certain offices, boards and commissions. — Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 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
How To Get Rid Of Ink Stains Most ink and permanent marker stains won’t budge without the help of a solvent. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2026 However, exploratory talks for Sarr were not followed by a bid and sources have told The Athletic that only an astronomical offer would change Palace’s stance and, with other targets still in mind, Liverpool are unlikely to budge. — Jon MacKenzie, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Adjective
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 Despite the unprecedented capabilities – and uncanny, seemingly humanlike qualities – of generative AI, the limit on how much human work can be fully automated will continue to only very slowly budge. — Eric Siegel, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025 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 1 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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