scrunch

Definition of scrunchnext
1
2
as in to crouch
to lie low with the limbs close to the body the climbers scrunched down on the leeward side of a large boulder and waited for the storm to pass

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in to scrape
to press or strike against or together so as to make a scraping sound scrunched loose gravel with every footstep

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scrunch Talayah Walker scrunched her eyebrows at the podium when Georgia Tech coach Karen Blair mentioned — in a complimentary way — that her star sophomore had committed only one turnover Sunday. Stan Awtrey, AJC.com, 3 Mar. 2026 Comb and scrunch to distribute product evenly. Essence Wiley, InStyle, 19 Feb. 2026 Late in the third quarter, Buzelis turned away from the basket and scrunched up his face in a grimace of disgust. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026 Fatigue is just part of the deal this season with the schedule scrunched up because of the Olympics. Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scrunch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrunch
Verb
  • The injury occurred on a breakaway in Dallas last Monday, leaving Moody crumpled on the floor and requiring a stretcher.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Boz just towers over her, is confident and assured as always, and Rachel is all crumpled up and just wants to get out of there.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • At the other end of the pitch, Robert Lewandowski crouches down on his haunches, eyes looking everywhere and nowhere, their nothingness saying everything.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
  • When The Times connected with Reyes, she was crouched down backstage at the Lovinger Theatre at Lehman College in the Bronx.
    Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • There are, naturally, layers of deception to scrape away first.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Avery Sullivan, with whom Morris also plays in the country-rock band Fust, keeps loose time on drums, tapping the snare like someone setting down coffee mugs while Libby Rodenbough scrapes out a few melody lines on her fiddle and colors empty spaces with some ghostly tremolo.
    Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Add remaining meringue in 3 batches, gently folding with a rubber spatula after each addition until only a few streaks of meringue remain (err on the side of undermixing to keep the cake batter billowy).
    Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Mindless chores like folding laundry or washing dishes are great for this.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • But the Olympic debutant gritted her teeth and tried to forget about her throbbing, bruised knee.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
  • But the rain calmed concerns that the state was heading into a severe dry spell, washed the soot and grit out of the air, and boosted conditions at Lake Tahoe area ski resorts.
    Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The day started with bad vibes when two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom was scratched from his start with a neck injury.
    Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Rookie Owen Caissie, a late addition to the starting lineup after original first baseman Christopher Morel was scratched with a left oblique strain, then drove in Edwards with a double to left-center.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Scrunch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrunch. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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