Synonyms of crumple

crumple

verb

ˈkrəm-pəl 

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

• scrunch
• fold
• wrinkle
• crinkle
• rumple
• furrow
• crease
• ripple
• pucker
• crisp
• ruffle
• knit
• crimp
• corrugate
• pleat
• ruck
• muss (up)
• contract
• mess (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flatten
• smooth
• straighten
• iron out
• press
• even
• iron
• unfold
• smoothen
• uncrumple
• tidy
• neaten

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

• collapse
• tumble
• go
• buckle
• crumble
• shatter
• melt
• die
• give
• yield
• implode
• go out
• flatten
• give way
• cave (in)
• founder
• fail
• crash
• burst
• smash
• break
• deflate
• snap
• crack
• pop
• split
• stall
• give out
• break down
• splinter
• melt down
• conk (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rise
• swell
• inflate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of crumple

Euphoric players cavorting in disbelief, long-suffering fans crumpling to their knees in tears, commentators’ voices cracking at the drama of it all. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 27 July 2026

The 23-year-old crumpled to the ground, clutching his left hand before walking off with trainers. — Alejandro Avila, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026

By all accounts, DC Studios’ Supergirl crumpled beneath the red sun of paltry box-office returns, taking in just $38 million domestically over its opening weekend. — Chris Lee, Vulture, 29 June 2026

One of the victims fled to a McDonald's restaurant where his bloodstained clothes, which were likely cut off by paramedics, were crumpled on the floor near the entrance. — CBS News, 7 June 2026