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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of crumple
Near Bangkok’s popular Chatuchak market, a 33-story building under construction, with a crane on top, crumpled into a cloud of dust, and onlookers could be seen screaming and running in a video posted on social media.
—
David Rising, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
The area of the car between the front bumper and the cabin is designed to absorb energy from crashes by crumpling.
—Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 27 Mar. 2025
Additionally, Jalen Hurts had a 44-yard touchdown run of his own and ended with 70 yards on seven carries, further illustrative of how Philly’s unrelenting pressure will eventually produce cracks that crumple a hull.
—J.j. Bailey, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
The ruling Communist Party struck a note of confidence even as markets in Hong Kong and Shanghai crumpled.
—Elaine Kurtenbach, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crumple
David Rising, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
The area of the car between the front bumper and the cabin is designed to absorb energy from crashes by crumpling.
—Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 27 Mar. 2025
Additionally, Jalen Hurts had a 44-yard touchdown run of his own and ended with 70 yards on seven carries, further illustrative of how Philly’s unrelenting pressure will eventually produce cracks that crumple a hull.
—J.j. Bailey, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
The ruling Communist Party struck a note of confidence even as markets in Hong Kong and Shanghai crumpled.
—Elaine Kurtenbach, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crumple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crumple
Verb
-
Then, scrunch mousse in, coating the hair from the roots to ends.—
Natasha Marsh,
Allure,
7 Apr. 2025
-
As Chelsea, Wood widens her eyes and slants her eyebrows up when confused, bares her teeth and scrunches her whole face in terror, and barely contains her smile when smitten.—
Ashliene McMenamy,
Allure,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
But, as ballots were being counted, government authorities announced that the electoral system had collapsed.—
Stephania Taladrid,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Tommy walks through the burning town and finds Maria, collapsing into her on Main Street, which is littered with dead, human and infected both.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
For small decks and porches, this folding side table can be placed flush against balconies and home exteriors, occupying minimal floor space while providing a convenient spot to dine and chat over a meal or a cup of coffee.—
Ali Faccenda,
People.com,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Delfina rolls out the pasta then flicks a huge piece the size of the table out like a bed sheet, folds it concertina style and slices it up finely.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Prices for Canadian imports tumbled 1.5% while goods from Mexico were 0.3% cheaper.—
Lucia Mutikani,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Stocks tumbled Wednesday after Nvidia warned new U.S. restrictions on exports to China will chisel billions of dollars off its results, with market losses accelerating after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell cautioned about the economic risks from President Trump's tariffs.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Ike Barinholtz’s Sal Saperstein listens with his eyebrows up, his forehead wrinkled into a semi-permanent state of worry.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Over millions of years, rain, flash floods, sandstorms and earthquakes have scoured and wrinkled the soft sandstone into the maze-like badlands.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crumple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumple. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share