nuzzle

Fetched 2026-11-01 (live).

Synonyms: muzzle, guzzle, snuzzle, puzzle, nizzle, nozzle, fuzzle, buzzle, uzzle, wuzzle

Antonyms: muzzle, guzzle, snuzzle, puzzle, nizzle, nozzle, fuzzle, buzzle, uzzle, wuzzle

Related words from Datamuse; suggestions, not definitions.

Verb

1. To push or thrust (the nose or snout, face or muzzle, or head, or an object) against or into something. To rub or touch (someone or something) with the nose, face, etc., or an object.
   • The horse nuzzled its foal’s head gently to wake him up.
   • She nuzzled her girlfriend in the cinema.
2. To push or thrust (the nose or snout, face or muzzle, or head, or an object) against or into something.
3. To rub or touch (someone or something) with the nose, face, etc., or an object.
   • The horse nuzzled its foal’s head gently to wake him up.
   • She nuzzled her girlfriend in the cinema.
4. Chiefly of an animal: to dig (something, especially food) out of the ground using the nose or snout; to root.
5. Often followed by in or into: to press or push the nose or snout, mouth, face, etc., against or into someone or something; to touch someone or something with the nose or snout, etc.
   • The bird nuzzled up to the wires of the cage.
6. Often followed by in or into: to press or push the nose or snout, mouth, face, etc., against or into someone or something; to touch someone or something with the nose or snout, etc.
   • The bird nuzzled up to the wires of the cage.
7. Chiefly of an animal: to push the nose or snout into the ground to dig for something, especially food; to root, to rootle.
8. Followed by down: to settle or lie comfortably and snugly in a bed, nest, etc.; to nestle.
9. Chiefly followed by up or with: to press affectionately against someone or something; to nestle, to snuggle.
10. To come into close contact with someone or something.
11. To feel or probe with the fingers.

Noun

1. An act of nuzzling (all verb senses).

Verb

1. Often followed by up' or with: to nurture or train (oneself or someone) to act a certain way, have certain beliefs, etc. To train (a dog or hawk) to attack prey.
2. To train (a dog or hawk) to attack prey.
3. Chiefly followed by up: to bring up (someone); to foster, to rear; also, to educate (someone); to train.
4. To care for (someone) affectionately; to hold dear (someone); to cherish, to nurse; also, to provide (someone or something) a comfortable and snug place to settle or lie (compare etymology 1, verb etymology 1, verb sense 2.3).

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wiktionary) · cached copy, not a rewrite.