scrunch

1
2
as in to crouch
to lie low with the limbs close to the body the climbers scrunched down on the leeward side of a large boulder and waited for the storm to pass

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in to scrape
to press or strike against or together so as to make a scraping sound scrunched loose gravel with every footstep

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 scrunch Her nose scrunches up like something smells bad in here. Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 19 Aug. 2025 An image of his little face, scrunched in discomfort, but no sound coming from his little mouth, was instantly clear. Zoë Jones, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2025 To use mousse, rake and then scrunch it into clean, damp hair (after applying a good shampoo for curly hair and leave-in conditioner for curls). Malia Griggs, Glamour, 23 June 2025 GloRilla tapped into a too-cool-for-school uniform aesthetic at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, styling plaid with black peep-toe platform shoes and scrunched white socks. Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for scrunch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrunch
Verb
  • Cause of crash is being investigated Videos of the accident show the carriage toppled to its side and crashed into a building on the steep and narrow street, with parts of the streetcar crumpled.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Last month, a Chinese coast guard vessel collided with a naval destroyer while attempting to drive away a Philippine patrol ship in the South China Sea, leaving its bow crumpled and twisted.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Within minutes we were crouched over fresh elephant tracks, the earth still damp.
    Daniel Scheffler, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Joining the two this year is a 5-foot pussycat, which comes poised to pounce in a crouching position with adjustable glowing eyes.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Beat in vanilla and 1 of the eggs until smooth, about 30 seconds, stopping to scrape down sides of bowl.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Although some of this base layer was likely ejected as well, Desch and his colleague Alan Jackson, also of Arizona State University, used simulations to determine that most of the material scraped from the baby Plutos was nitrogen.
    Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Quick Packing Tips For A Longer Cruise Rolling rather than folding clothes can save space and help prevent deep creases, especially when combined with packing cubes.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Phones that fold in half like the Galaxy Z Fold and Google Pixel Pro Fold are usually thicker than your average phone when closed, sometimes resembling two phones stacked on top of one another.
    Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Just over two hours east of San Diego and 15 miles north of the Mexican border town of Mexicali, El Centro has both grit and charm.
    Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2025
  • But Ben’s defiance, instincts, and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite — and a threat to the entire system.
    Andrew McGowan, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The cats kept them up each night with their incessant whining and scratching at their doors.
    Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
  • What itch does that scratch that the rest of this doesn’t?
    Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Scrunch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrunch. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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