Sordine is a musical term that refers to a device used to dampen the sound of an instrument. While the term sordine is commonly used in classical music, there are several synonyms for this word, including muffler, mute, and dampener. These words are interchangeable and are used to denote the same device, but in different contexts and genres of music. For instance, the word muffler is more commonly used in the context of brass instruments, while the word mute is used in jazz and modern music. Regardless of its name, the sordine is an essential tool in creating certain musical effects and tonal qualities in various genres of music.