scrunch

1 of 2

verb

ˈskrənch 

ˈskru̇nch

scrunched; scrunching; scrunches

transitive verb

1

: crunch, crush

2

a

: 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

2 of 2

noun

: a crunching sound

Synonyms

Verb

• crinkle
• crumple
• rumple
• wrinkle

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

Audiences scrunched under the Jay Pritzker Pavilion fringe, only to play musical chairs dodging the structure’s many (and ever-changing) leaky spots. —Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025

Simply shake, spray on damp or dry hair, and scrunch for effortlessly chic waves. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 1 May 2025

Noun

My hips and my neck don’t feel any sort of scrunch or discomfort, which is a huge plus. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 13 June 2025

With just a few spritzes and a scrunch, your hair can look bodacious and salon-worthy in seconds. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 10 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

alteration of crunch entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1790, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1857, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for scrunch

• brunch
• bunch
• chinch
• crunch
• hunch
• lunch
• punch
• keypunch

Kids Definition

scrunch

verb

ˈskrənch

1

a

: crunch entry 1 sense 1, crush

scrunch a paper cup

b

: to make or move with a crunching sound

cinders scrunching underfoot

2

a

: to draw or squeeze together tightly

b

: crumple sense 1

scrunch up a piece of paper

c

: to cause (as one's facial features) to draw together

scrunched up his nose

3

: crouch, hunch