1
: a small ridge or furrow especially when formed on a surface by the shrinking or contraction of a smooth substance : crease
specifically
: one in the skin especially when due to age, worry, or fatigue
2
b
: a change in a customary procedure or method
c
: something new or different : innovation
3
wrinkled; wrinkling
ˈriŋ-k(ə-)liŋ 
: to become marked with or contracted into wrinkles
: to contract into wrinkles : pucker
Examples of wrinkle in a Sentence
Noun
Here's the latest wrinkle in the story—we find out that the villain is actually the hero's father!
He has added some new wrinkles to his game.
Verb
Moisture caused the wallpaper to wrinkle and peel.
His brow wrinkled as he thought about the question.
Try not to wrinkle your trousers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
Leaving clean laundry in the dryer or hamper only puts off a chore until later, keeps clean clothes from its proper place, and also risks wrinkles or someone accidentally mistaking it for dirty laundry instead.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
Amber Cardullo, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2025
After a nutria was tossed fifteen or twenty times, snotlike entrails began to protrude from the bullet holes, at which point Miss Louisiana, wrinkling her nose, would place it in a trash bucket and select a fresh carcass from the cooler.
—Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wrinkle
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Noun
Amazon’s fashion hub is home to a stylish selection of wrinkle-resistant travel pants for under $35.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
Leaving clean laundry in the dryer or hamper only puts off a chore until later, keeps clean clothes from its proper place, and also risks wrinkles or someone accidentally mistaking it for dirty laundry instead.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
The slim fit of these long sleeves is perfect for tucking into bottoms, and the super-soft, stretchy fabric won’t wrinkle easily when folded into your travel bag.
—Amber Cardullo, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2025
After a nutria was tossed fifteen or twenty times, snotlike entrails began to protrude from the bullet holes, at which point Miss Louisiana, wrinkling her nose, would place it in a trash bucket and select a fresh carcass from the cooler.
—Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wrinkle
Cite this Entry
“Wrinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wrinkle. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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