SCRUNCH Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

scrunch

verb

ˈskrənch

Definition of scrunch

as in to crumple

to create (as by crushing) an irregular mass of creases in scrunched up the shirt and tossed it in the laundry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 As the players headed to their benches and the officials took their customary walks to the scorer’s table for the time out, Atkinson scrunched his face, stuck out his hands, and mockingly clapped toward Blair — who ignored the obvious taunt. — Joe Vardon, New York Times, 11 May 2026 In the meantime, Atomi encourages people to try the supine core and toe-scrunching exercises at home. — Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026 Plus, van Ness explains that the product doesn’t have to be used for heat styling alone—curly or textured hair can simply scrunch it in to help smooth unwanted frizz too. — Deanna Pai, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2026 Louis' scrunched up face got an affectionate giggle out of his dad as the two sat side-by-side at the 80th anniversary of VE Day in 2025. — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrunch

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrunch

Verb

Inflation is part of the show, as across the valley floor, enormous envelopes lie crumpled in fields before fans slowly give them shape—then the burners start, sending pulses of orange through the fabric.

— Scott Campbell, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
According to National Geographic, as the Arabian plate began to move further under the Eurasian plate, the two plates crumpled together, creating the Zagros Mountains — an impressive stretch of peaks that still exist in Iran.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of crumple

Verb

As Kimbrel got set to face Marlins first baseman Kyle Stowers, the right-hander crouched near the mound as liquid spewed from his mouth before the broadcast camera cut away.

— Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Like ballplayers just before the pitch, animal control crouched into position, with thick metal grabbers, nooses, and nets at the ready.

— Zachary Przystup, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of crouch

Verb

The clip was an instant hit, reposted and reacted to and viewed and scraped so many times in addition to its original 7 million views on TikTok that its final reach is almost impossible to calculate.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026
And, of course, scraping activity greatly intensifies during the 15 to 20 days leading up to the breeding season.

— Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of scrape

Verb

The museum could clip the tapestry to a rail, then feed it into the paravent inch by inch; when the whole thing was transferred, the huge zigzag could be folded up—with the tapestry secured between layers of padding—then turned on its side.

— John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
Bass has never lost an election and won’t easily fold, even as her first term has careened from one crisis to another.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of fold

Verb

Sunderland, of course, spent heavily last season after coming up from the Championship, and there is a broad consensus that promoted teams need to do so to quickly bring their squads up to scratch.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
The upstairs neighbors had two mastiffs who were left home all day and who barked incessantly and scratched at the floor of their kennel.

— Meghan O’Gieblyn, The New York Review of Books, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of scratch

Browse Nearby Words

scrums

scrunch

scrunched

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Scrunch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrunch. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of scrunch

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

shofar

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes