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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crumple
First responders found the victim crumpled in the street.
—
Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026
The question is whether the world can take that long of a shock without crumpling beneath the weight of rising inflation and staggering growth.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2026
In recent years, researchers have discovered that, aside from fracturing, living tissues also crumple, buckle, wrinkle, and fold via physical mechanisms that produce incredible diversity with just a few slight tweaks in tissue properties and architecture.
—Clare Watson, Quanta Magazine, 27 Feb. 2026
When the first part of season four ends with Benedict fumbling through a disastrous proposal that Sophie become his mistress, Ha does not crumple or explode in fury.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crumple
Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026
The question is whether the world can take that long of a shock without crumpling beneath the weight of rising inflation and staggering growth.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2026
In recent years, researchers have discovered that, aside from fracturing, living tissues also crumple, buckle, wrinkle, and fold via physical mechanisms that produce incredible diversity with just a few slight tweaks in tissue properties and architecture.
—Clare Watson, Quanta Magazine, 27 Feb. 2026
When the first part of season four ends with Benedict fumbling through a disastrous proposal that Sophie become his mistress, Ha does not crumple or explode in fury.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crumple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crumple
Verb
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This faux leather style features an elegant, rounded collar and scrunched sleeves that together create a bold, endlessly versatile piece that can be thrown over a dress and knee-high boots for an afternoon brunch, or paired with denim and sneakers for a day of exploring.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Mar. 2026
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Dries Van Noten wrapped a denim trench coat in a colorful, tapestry-like belts, scrunched baggy jeans into shin-grazing boots and added a bomber-style collar to a denim blazer.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The twister damaged the roof, collapsed and removed barn doors and peeled siding off a farm building, and snapped a row of trees, some in half, according to the NWS.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Mar. 2026
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Water and electricity are hard to come by, and the medical system is collapsing.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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There is also the infamous image of Trump at the 2018 G7, during which he was photographed sitting with his arms folded as other world leaders, including former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, tried to engage him.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Mar. 2026
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Is there anything better than getting your clothes back impeccably folded into beautiful rattan boxes?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Butterflies zigzagging around the gates, the sound of water tumbling down the mountainside, cutting through the greenery.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
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Its delicate, cheerful blooms tumble over walls and sidewalks alike, filling them with tiny blossoms.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, in the early 1900s, people feared broadcast radio would wrinkle their skin, dry up the sky, and even cause flooding by breaking up clouds.—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
3 Mar. 2026
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Now’s also a great time to stock up on timeless basics like the Lands’ End Super-T Short-sleeve T-shirt, a soft cotton-jersey T-shirt that won’t wrinkle, shrink, or pill over time, and is available in a whopping 13 shades that are currently 25 percent off.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crumple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumple. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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