crinkle 1 of 2

noun

Definition of crinklenext
as in furrow
a small fold in a soft and otherwise smooth surface little crinkles at the corners of his mouth showed whenever he smiled

Synonyms & Similar Words

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crinkle

2 of 2

verb

ˈkriŋ-kəl How to pronounce crinkle (audio)
1
as in to rustle
to make small sounds usually by rubbing or moving a paper seat cover that crinkles with every move

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2
as in to crumple
to create (as by crushing) an irregular mass of creases in crinkled the candy wrapper up and threw it away

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to wrinkle
to develop creases or folds her forehead crinkled in consternation when her guests failed to arrive on time

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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 crinkle
Noun
Melissa & Doug Flip Fish Soft Baby Toy This cuddly fish friend squeaks and crinkles. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026 Bake until edges of cookies are set and tops crinkle, 10 to 12 minutes. — Emily Paster, Midwest Living, 15 Aug. 2026
Verb
Similar in appearance to savoy spinach, but semi-savoy is moderately crinkled and easier to handle, says Kasper. — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026 Here, the creative studio pitches concepts like jeans with cutoff waistbands, crinkled barely-there washes, repairs and rounded patchwork and super flare silhouettes that mimic ’70s DIY fits. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crinkle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crinkle
  1. furrow
  2. rustle
  3. crumple
  4. wrinkle
  5. crease
  6. crackle
  7. scrunch
  8. squeak
Noun
  • Their furrows reminded me of Rembrandt’s paintings of old men, brows carved deep by hard use and long years.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The underwater drone, tethered to the ship with cables and about the size of a small car, was just above the ocean floor as the researchers and pilots searched for furrows potentially left by whales.
    — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of furrow
Verb
  • Green noise is a variation of white noise built from nature sounds like flowing rivers, rustling leaves and gentle rain, and it is often recommended for people kept awake by stress.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2026
  • That 7dBA output is practically inaudible—quieter than rustling leaves (around 20dBA) and well below the 25dBA to 30dBA ambient floor of a quiet library or nighttime bedroom.
    — Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of rustle
Verb
  • The silver vehicle lay upside down in the Uncompahgre River, crumpled like an aluminum can.
    — Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
  • At the beginning of a normal Friday practice in Week 11, Bowman crumpled to the grass at the Falcons’ practice facility.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of crumple
Verb
  • The symptom that alarmed me most in that moment was the progressive skin wrinkling in some NCBRS teens.
    — Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Synthetic suede was used on the pink toe tip in 2011, but the shoe now features the real thing in order to avoid wrinkling and folding.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of wrinkle
Noun
  • The Rangers announced the devastating news on Saturday following a scary injury in which the 30-year-old’s right skate jammed into the post while gliding across his crease in the first period.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
  • For everyday creases, wrinkle-release spray is an easier alternative.
    — Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of crease
Verb
  • The footage later showed smoke coming from the home as the fire intensified, with sparks visible and the sound of crackling flames audible.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Go for a scenic drive, pop into an orchard for a cider tasting, and conclude your day in front of a crackling fireplace.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of crackle
Verb
  • Sitting at the defendant’s table, Flynn scrunched up his face and appeared to be crying as the 911 call was played aloud.
    — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Sheer tees scrunched and stretched in awkward ways at Brandon Maxwell.
    — Alison Syrett Cleary, InStyle, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of scrunch
Verb
  • Red Oak opened district play by squeaking past Mansfield (23-20), but the Hawks got drilled by Duncanville (42-0) to follow.
    — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Against the sounds of traffic, the groups hear pigeon mating sounds and babies squeaking for food.
    — KYLE MELNICK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of squeak

Browse Nearby Words

cringing (at)
crinkle
crinkled
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Cite this Entry

“Crinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crinkle. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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