scrunch

verb

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\ ˈskrənch

, ˈskru̇nch\

scrunched; scrunching; scrunches

Definition of scrunch

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : crunch, crush

2a : to draw or squeeze together tightly

b : crumple —often used with up

c : 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

scrunch

noun

Definition of scrunch (Entry 2 of 2)

: a crunching sound

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about scrunch

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Examples of scrunch in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb This tiny number’s heritage print may be straight from the Highlands, but its strapless, scrunched-up shape is all punk. — Zoe Ruffner, Harper's BAZAAR, "For the Love of Tartan," 27 Sep. 2019 Trends will be ruffles, cute cutouts, scrunching, ruching, and gathers, rash guards and cover guards. — Houston Chronicle, "These looks will let you feel and look cool under the sun," 27 June 2019 The Brain’s Processing Units The convoluted folds covering the brain’s surface form the cerebral cortex, a pizza-sized sheet of tissue that’s scrunched to fit into our skulls. — Quanta Magazine, "Mapping the Brain to Build Better Machines," 6 Apr. 2016 Two women sat under it, their faces scrunched, shoulders tense. — Sophia Moskalenko, Vox, "I was a child of Chernobyl," 2 July 2019 Malpass recoils, scrunching his face as if encountering a bad smell. — Washington Post, "New World Bank President David Malpass breaks with Trump on climate change," 25 June 2019 Decorate an empty clear water bottle with its label removed and cap screwed on with googly eyes, scrunched paper for wings and pipe cleaner antennae glued to look like a firefly. — Donna Erickson, Twin Cities, "Donna Erickson: Tips and ideas for summer play all day, every day," 13 June 2019 And Courreges’ was a trendy white nylon bag scrunched into a camping-style toggle pouch with the show information inside. — Thomas Adamson, The Seattle Times, "Starry Saint Laurent show in Paris sees models walk on water," 25 Sep. 2018 Made from narrow, zigzagged raffia tape, this mega-hat is easy to pin or scrunch back, so the face is visible and less communal space is taken. — Linda Dyett, The Seattle Times, "Hats are big this summer. Really, really big," 16 Aug. 2018 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Try towel scrunches: Start sitting in a chair with your heels on the floor and a towel under one forefoot. — SELF, "7 Ways to Treat Your Feet During Marathon Training," 13 Sep. 2018 Just spray it onto hair, then twirl and scrunch strands for distressed-looking waves. — Shannon Barbour, The Cut, "Bumble and Bumble’s Beach Wave Spray Has a New Scent," 14 May 2018 Long before Demna Gvesalia sent scrunches down the Balenciaga runway, the 85-year-old has been championing the divisive hair accessory. — refinery29.com, "Photographic Proof Ruth Bader Ginsburg Has Always Loved Scrunchies," 21 Mar. 2018 On Wednesday, outside of her gym, Kim was spotted squatting on the sidewalk in a pair of her signature ankle-scrunch sweats, a tank, and some Yeezy sneakers, concentrating very hard on this exact dilemma. — Rachel Torgerson, Cosmopolitan, "This Pic of Kim K Wearing Sweats and Deciding on a Green Juice Wins the Internet Today," 26 Oct. 2017 To revive curls in a pinch, spray a mixture of half water and half leave-in conditioner on the ends of your hair, and scrunch or style as usual. — Brooke Shunatona, Cosmopolitan, "18 Life-Changing Hacks for Curly Hair," 30 Aug. 2017

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.

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Last Updated

18 Nov 2019

Time Traveler for scrunch

The first known use of scrunch was circa 1790

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More Definitions for scrunch

scrunch

verb

English Language Learners Definition of scrunch

: 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

See the full definition for scrunch in the English Language Learners Dictionary

scrunch

verb

\ ˈskrənch

scrunched; scrunching

Kids Definition of scrunch

1 : to cause (as facial features) to draw together

2 : crouch entry 1, 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 sense 1

5 : crush entry 1 sense 1

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recondite

concealed or difficult to comprehend

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scrunch

Definition of scrunch

Synonyms & Antonyms for scrunch

Examples of scrunch in a Sentence

First Known Use of scrunch

History and Etymology for scrunch

Learn More about scrunch

Dictionary Entries near scrunch

Statistics for scrunch

The first known use of scrunch was circa 1790

English Language Learners Definition of scrunch

Kids Definition of scrunch

WORD OF THE DAY

recondite

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