as in messy
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
a rumpled room that suited its teenage occupant just fine
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in crumpled
to create (as by crushing) an irregular mass of creases in
the guest rumpled the antique bedspread by lying down on it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in disrupted
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
the aunt would invariably rumple the little boy's hair whenever she came to visit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rumpled
Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Multiple parties plead their case to Figgis, who interviews members of the cast and crew behind the scenes, usually with rumpled cloth tacked to the wall behind them.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025
Natural imperfections in the leaves, such as tiny holes or rumpled edges, add texture and create an authentic natural look.
—Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Burnett was content to mine references from her own Depression-era youth; her famous maid character, the Charwoman, who became something of a show mascot, harked back to Chaplin’s Little Tramp, wearing a rumpled outfit and performing silent reveries.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Multiple parties plead their case to Figgis, who interviews members of the cast and crew behind the scenes, usually with rumpled cloth tacked to the wall behind them.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025
Natural imperfections in the leaves, such as tiny holes or rumpled edges, add texture and create an authentic natural look.
—Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rumpled
Adjective
-
Between the messy decline of solar cycle 25 and the possibility of a dramatic last gasp, aurora hunters may still have their best nights ahead.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Ceiling Fixtures Most people don't climb up a ladder to dust ceiling fixtures, so this is going to be a messy job.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Barkov crumpled to the ice during the team’s first full preseason practice after minor contact Thursday.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Diane pulled out a sheet from a stack of papers, and it was all crumpled up with the lyrics to the song.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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With his brow perennially furrowed and hair slicked with sweat, Riley has the exact look and bearing of a suavely addled wrong-man figure from British thrillers of yore — and thus makes a suitably bemused proxy for the viewers in this wasteland of mounting chaos and absurdity.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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As Congress inches closer to a possible government shutdown, many federal services North Carolinians depend on might be disrupted.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The evacuation disrupted regular campus activities and prompted swift coordination between school administrators and law enforcement.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But, true to the chaotic and improvisational nature of his medium, the screening was delayed by about 25 minutes as Speed wrapped things up and attendees were corralled to their seats with buckets of kettle corn and hard Topo Chicos.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
5 Oct. 2025
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Some have turned chaotic, with protesters clashing with authorities.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The cast scrunched out easily, leaving curls soft and natural-looking.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Kavya tugs on my arm, her nose is scrunched up, eyebrows discombobulated.—
Navdeep Singh Dhillon,
Parents,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Every plot point is wrinkled or changed in some fundamental way.—
Joe Lynch,
Billboard,
18 Oct. 2024
-
The vinyl decals, featuring salmon crying to get beyond the first of the dams, were wrinkled, the banner itself battle-scarred in places.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
The Arizona Republic,
12 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
Lethargic and confused in their play.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Oxygen bleach soaks—Oxygen bleach (not to be confused with chlorine bleach) is a gentle yet powerful whitening agent.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rumpled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rumpled. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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