scrunch

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verb \ˈskrənch, ˈskru̇nch\

Definition of scrunch

transitive verb
1 : crunch, crush
2a : to draw or squeeze together tightlyb : crumple —often used with upc : to cause (something, such as one's features) to draw together —usually used with up
intransitive verb
1 : to move with or make a crunching sound
2 : crouch, hunch; also : squeeze

See scrunch defined for English-language learners

See scrunch defined for kids

Examples of scrunch in a Sentence

I scrunched down in the chair.
I scrunched the fabric in my hand.

Recent Examples of scrunch from the Web

The update makes no mention of how long drivers are stuck in traffic as multiple lanes are scrunched into one along southern and northern stretches of the project.

— joe marusak, charlotteobserver, "Here’s why drivers are stuck in nightly, blood pressure-raising I-77 traffic snarls", 3 July 2017
Some jackets were rendered off-kilter and otherworldly by tiny silhouettes that scrunched up the models’ torsos.

— thomas adamson, The Seattle Times, "Louis Vuitton channels escapism at sweltering Paris menswear", 22 June 2017
But the too-large jeans, scrunched together at the waist by a belt, seem less a function of fashion than necessity.

— alexander nazaryan, Newsweek, "The 'Artwashing' of America: The Battle for the Soul of Los Angeles Against Gentrification", 21 May 2017
Merloni scrunched his face then admitted: Yes, his own son doesn't want to play baseball.

— christopher borrelli, chicagotribune.com, "Building a baseball story: 7 lessons Red Sox can teach Cubs", 1 May 2017
For about six months, Mr. Roberson-Charles slept at friends’ places, including scrunching his 6-foot-2 frame onto a blue Ikea sectional in this East Village apartment building.

— elizabeth a. harris, New York Times, "A Journey From ‘Real World’ to Homeless Shelter — and College", 7 Apr. 2017
As the chorus begins, Williams scrunches his face, as if someone had told him something ridiculous.

— amanda petrusich, The New Yorker, "Maggie Rogers, An Artist of Her Time", 13 Mar. 2017
Nose scrunched up, nostrils flared, smile playing on her lips.

— jeanne sager, New York Times, "Why I Talk About My Daughter’s Body", 30 Dec. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scrunch'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of scrunch

alteration of ¹crunch

NEW!

First Known Use: circa 1790

See Words from the same year

scrunch

noun

Definition of scrunch

: a crunching sound

First Known Use of scrunch

1857

SCRUNCH Defined for English Language Learners

scrunch

play

verb

Definition of scrunch for English Language Learners

: to make your body lower or shorter by bending your legs, making your back bend forward, lowering your head, etc.
: to tighten the muscles of (your face or nose)
: to put (several or many people or things) in a space that is too small

SCRUNCH Defined for Kids

scrunch

play

verb \ˈskrənch\

Definition of scrunch for Students

scrunched

;

scrunching

1 : to cause (as facial features) to draw together
2 : ¹crouch, hunch … he … scrunched sideways until his back was against a small tree. — Gary Paulsen, Hatchet
3 : to draw or squeeze together tightly She scrunched her fists.
4 : crumple 1
5 : ¹crush 1

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See words that rhyme with scrunch Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for scrunch Nglish: Translation of scrunch for Spanish speakers

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scrunch

Definition of scrunch

transitive verb

intransitive verb

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Examples of scrunch in a Sentence

Recent Examples of scrunch from the Web

Origin and Etymology of scrunch

scrunch Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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scrunch

Definition of scrunch

First Known Use of scrunch

SCRUNCH Defined for English Language Learners

scrunch

Definition of scrunch for English Language Learners

SCRUNCH Defined for Kids

scrunch

Definition of scrunch for Students

scrunched

scrunching

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