1
as in to crumple
to create (as by crushing) an irregular mass of creases in
the guest rumpled the antique bedspread by lying down on it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to disrupt
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
the aunt would invariably rumple the little boy's hair whenever she came to visit
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 rumple
These comfort-forward essentials are designed to minimize aches, maximize rest and help any traveler arrive feeling more refreshed than rumpled.
—
Jill Schildhouse, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
The covers and sheets on the oversized double bed were rumpled and askew.
—Timothy Crouse, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025
Or Pritzker could try a Trump-like move and stop appearing in public looking rumpled and always insist on an ample suit coat.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 11 Apr. 2025
And there was no single form of equilibrium for a knitted sweater's resting shape; rather, there were multiple metastable states that were dependent on the fabric's history—the different ways it had been folded, stretched, or rumpled.
—Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rumple
Jill Schildhouse, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
The covers and sheets on the oversized double bed were rumpled and askew.
—Timothy Crouse, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025
Or Pritzker could try a Trump-like move and stop appearing in public looking rumpled and always insist on an ample suit coat.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 11 Apr. 2025
And there was no single form of equilibrium for a knitted sweater's resting shape; rather, there were multiple metastable states that were dependent on the fabric's history—the different ways it had been folded, stretched, or rumpled.
—Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rumple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rumple
Verb
-
Spread the bedding out as much as possible in the machine so it’s not crumpled or folded.—
Emily Benda Gaylord,
The Spruce,
15 Mar. 2026
-
One woman crumpled into the arms of her fellow protesters.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
This illumination can temporarily blind the animals, leaving them more vulnerable while disrupting their natural habits.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Outside,
16 Mar. 2026
-
At that point, the parasite disrupts brain regions that regulate circadian rhythm, causing patients to become sleepy during the day and awake at night.—
Fran Kritz,
NPR,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Talayah Walker scrunched her eyebrows at the podium when Georgia Tech coach Karen Blair mentioned — in a complimentary way — that her star sophomore had committed only one turnover Sunday.—
Stan Awtrey,
AJC.com,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Comb and scrunch to distribute product evenly.—
Essence Wiley,
InStyle,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At the bottom of the steps, Junior Sister was dressed just as haphazardly, brow furrowed with concern.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Some were nodding, brows furrowed, as if in a foreign-language class; others were trying not to bust up laughing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Samson Fellows shuffled in his slippers to a small space heater and flicked it on.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The Green Bay Packers are doing some shuffling at cornerback by adding Benjamin St-Juste while informing Nate Hobbs of a plan to release him a year after signing him to the $48 million, four-year contract, according to two people with knowledge of the decisions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The skills could include tasks such as folding boxes, assembling components, or even manipulating objects, activities that still remain challenging for many robotic systems.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Stir to combine, then fold in the black beans.—
Kelly McCarthy,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Pair with a cropped trench coat, creased denim, and shield sunglasses for an effortlessly cool look.—
Andrea Zendejas,
Vogue,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The light was honeyed, her face in it creased with worry.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rumple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rumple. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
