scrunch

Definition of scrunchnext
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 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 Mind you, that was also by design — the west side of the stadium was roped off entirely, so that 50% of capacity was scrunched into one half of the building. Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2026 Further inspection found a Mexican citizen scrunched into a makeshift, dry compartment in the gas tank that February day. Jim Radcliffe, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026 Reduce frizz, add shine, and offer your curls a soft, flexible hold with Bumble and Bumble's Curl Defining Styling Cream, which should be scrunched into wet hair from mid-shaft to ends before air drying or diffusing. Lily Wohlner, Allure, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrunch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrunch
Verb
  • 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
  • Nothing’s more frustrating than opening your suitcase to find your cutest tops looking like they’ve been crumpled into paper balls.
    Kenedee Fowler, Southern Living, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • The image in question features Grande crouched on the ground while sucking a lollipop and loving a happy black dog.
    Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 25 June 2026
  • The first showed him walking hand-in-hand with his sons, and the second showed Jack crouched down in a church pew as one of his sons played with toys, surrounded by coloring books and stickers.
    Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • When a user asked boat-botany why New Reddit isn’t scraped as often as Old Reddit, the Reddit employee pointed to a comment by another user.
    Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 30 June 2026
  • Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with ⅓ cup sour cream in 2 additions (about 2½ tablespoons each), scraping down bowl as needed.
    ABC News, ABC News, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Items including coolers, folding chairs, frisbees, balls, metal drink containers and aerosol cans — including spray sunscreen — are prohibited.
    Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026
  • Others, like Castro, sat outside their homes and businesses on folding chairs and patio furniture, as the marchers, fire trucks and floats went by.
    Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 4 July 2026
Verb
  • Showed toughness by gritting through ankle and knee injuries in the Final Four and title game.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 June 2026
  • Then the coach known as the most impulsive man on an NFL sideline runs that stop sign, grits his teeth and breaks unbound into character.
    Michael Silver, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • In April, when Rojas got news that his father had been rushed to the hospital, Roberts quickly took the decision on whether to play out of Rojas’ hands, scratching him from the lineup.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026
  • New York scratched across two more runs in the 10th, taking advantage of another throwing error by Abreu after Rosario's sinking liner squirted out of his glove for an RBI single.
    CBS New York Team, CBS News, 28 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Scrunch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrunch. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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