1
as in to scrunch
to create (as by crushing) an irregular mass of creases in
crumpled the piece of paper and angrily threw it in the wastebasket
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to collapse
to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure
the box crumpled when I accidentally dropped a brick on it
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crumple
The fabric of his jersey, which should suggest his movement and musculature, is instead accordion-crumpled like a piece of paper.
—
Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 30 Aug. 2025
De Santis quietly asks Labaro, while watching his distinguished guest get crumpled by the elements.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
Barry then crumpled the paper and threw it in a trash can.
—Alex Riggins, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2025
Greco handed Honan an open bag of chips with the top crumpled.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crumple
Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 30 Aug. 2025
De Santis quietly asks Labaro, while watching his distinguished guest get crumpled by the elements.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
Barry then crumpled the paper and threw it in a trash can.
—Alex Riggins, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2025
Greco handed Honan an open bag of chips with the top crumpled.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crumple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crumple
Verb
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Using your hands, gently scrunch up the phyllo sheet from the middle and nestle it on top of the chicken mixture.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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And some ankle booties with wedge heels might appear moderate, but can actually throw your weight onto the balls of your feet, scrunching your toes up against the toe box.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Klamath tribes, for instance, have passed down a story about the creation of Oregon’s Crater Lake, formed about 7,700 years ago, after Mount Mazama erupted and collapsed into itself.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
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And if the environment collapses; communities cannot thrive either.—
Christopher Marquis,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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By focusing on a simple physical task like folding, the inner mind is freed to meditate subconsciously.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
17 Sep. 2025
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Then fold the quilt up for putting back in storage—preferably in a different configuration so the quilt doesn't develop creases.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The stock tumbled 14% in a single day as investors feared that their expectations for orforglipron sales in the coming years were too optimistic.—
Kevin Stankiewicz,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
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The problem with these ideas, however, is that much of the junk is tumbling.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The slim fit of these long sleeves is perfect for tucking into bottoms, and the super-soft, stretchy fabric won’t wrinkle easily when folded into your travel bag.—
Amber Cardullo,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Aug. 2025
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After a nutria was tossed fifteen or twenty times, snotlike entrails began to protrude from the bullet holes, at which point Miss Louisiana, wrinkling her nose, would place it in a trash bucket and select a fresh carcass from the cooler.—
Nathaniel Rich,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crumple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumple. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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