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
Synonyms
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
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Thankfully, the best blushes for mature skin have blendable, buildable formulas that won't seep into wrinkles.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Apr. 2024
The best primers for mature skin can help minimize the appearance of pores, wrinkles, and fine lines before the first dab of makeup onto your cheeks.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024
Of course, the episode is innovative in production, with many creative wrinkles unseen in previous Biography: WWE Legends broadcasts.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Mesotherapy Popularly used to target facial wrinkles and folds, injectables are a buzzword in skincare.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 28 Mar. 2024
The concerns are the latest wrinkle in the White House push to get aid to the enclave’s hungry population via a floating dock.
—Carol E. Lee, NBC News, 23 Mar. 2024
The researchers found that the ingredient significantly decreased the appearance of wrinkles after 28 days.
—Lisa Desantis, Health, 22 Mar. 2024
There was a small hitch in the unveiling, as the left side didn’t fall in unison with the right side, creating a wrinkle on the banner.
—David Ammenheuser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2024
Katie Workman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2024
The Texas Rangers took some humorous flak on opening day for the reveal of their championship banner which was wrinkled and slightly askew.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2024
According to buyers, the lightweight shirt doesn't wrinkle easily the way others do.
—Taylor Jean Stephan, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024
Microfiber means this set won't wrinkle easily, either.
—Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 16 Mar. 2024
In more recent photos, his skin appears wrinkled and yellow, his open eyes look hollow, and his skeleton is clearly visible.
—Zaina Arafat, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024
And, of course, anything that wrinkles or creases easily should go on a hanger.
—Helen Carefoot, Washington Post, 29 Jan. 2024
His mask, which covered his entire head and face, looked shockingly realistic with white hair, bushy eyebrows, wrinkles around the mouth and a full mustache.
—Ariana Quihuiz, Peoplemag, 4 Jan. 2024
If your curtains get especially wrinkled, taking them down and ironing them out every once in a while will keep them looking fresh.
—Amanda Lauren, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Dec. 2023
Noun
Inside crepey wrinkles and wiry fur, heavy brows and grubby nails, plodding feet and soft, pale bellies are Keough and her three co-stars, Nathan Zellner as the alpha, Jesse Eisenberg as the beta and Christophe Zajac-Denek as the child who occasionally suckles at Keough’s breasts.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Thankfully, the best blushes for mature skin have blendable, buildable formulas that won't seep into wrinkles.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Apr. 2024
The best primers for mature skin can help minimize the appearance of pores, wrinkles, and fine lines before the first dab of makeup onto your cheeks.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024
Of course, the episode is innovative in production, with many creative wrinkles unseen in previous Biography: WWE Legends broadcasts.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Mesotherapy Popularly used to target facial wrinkles and folds, injectables are a buzzword in skincare.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 28 Mar. 2024
The concerns are the latest wrinkle in the White House push to get aid to the enclave’s hungry population via a floating dock.
—Carol E. Lee, NBC News, 23 Mar. 2024
The researchers found that the ingredient significantly decreased the appearance of wrinkles after 28 days.
—Lisa Desantis, Health, 22 Mar. 2024
There was a small hitch in the unveiling, as the left side didn’t fall in unison with the right side, creating a wrinkle on the banner.
—David Ammenheuser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2024
Verb
If the asparagus smells off, or looks wrinkled, withered or slimy, skip it.
—Katie Workman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2024
The Texas Rangers took some humorous flak on opening day for the reveal of their championship banner which was wrinkled and slightly askew.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2024
According to buyers, the lightweight shirt doesn't wrinkle easily the way others do.
—Taylor Jean Stephan, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024
Microfiber means this set won't wrinkle easily, either.
—Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 16 Mar. 2024
In more recent photos, his skin appears wrinkled and yellow, his open eyes look hollow, and his skeleton is clearly visible.
—Zaina Arafat, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024
And, of course, anything that wrinkles or creases easily should go on a hanger.
—Helen Carefoot, Washington Post, 29 Jan. 2024
His mask, which covered his entire head and face, looked shockingly realistic with white hair, bushy eyebrows, wrinkles around the mouth and a full mustache.
—Ariana Quihuiz, Peoplemag, 4 Jan. 2024
If your curtains get especially wrinkled, taking them down and ironing them out every once in a while will keep them looking fresh.
—Amanda Lauren, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wrinkle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near wrinkle
Cite this Entry
“Wrinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wrinkle. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share