crinkle 1 of 2

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

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crinkle

2 of 2

verb

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
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
Whereas cotton poplin and tiered versions might look dated in a year or two, this crinkle version is seasonless. Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 25 July 2025 This topper is made of 95% organic latex with a soft, crinkle cotton cover. Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 23 July 2025
Verb
The blue sedan had amassed a collection of vines and brush, lost its windshield and windows and had its hood crinkled along its journey through Sugartree Creek. Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Apr. 2025 Are fine lines and creases around your lids crinkling your eye makeup look? Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crinkle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crinkle
Noun
  • That central bank drama is piling even more attention Friday’s speech by Fed Chair Jay Powell, who even in precedented times can move markets with a single furrow of his brow.
    Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Swaziland continued to plough its own political furrow against its larger neighbor until the end of apartheid.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In a matter of just a few days, the county judge, his son, his nephew, and one of his closest allies had been arrested in two separate incidents — the cattle-rustling case and the jury-duty hearing.
    Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
  • During the 1880s, the brothers lived here and made their livelihood rustling cattle and horses, while at the same time disposing of unsuspecting ranchers who wandered too close to their hideout.
    Patti Nickell, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • His mother found him, crumpled on the floor of his acupuncture studio, in a pool of blood.
    Dateline NBC, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Of course Swift’s legion of devotees would scoff at the notion that their heroine was anything but a pop goddess, their very own Glinda the Good Witch sent to comfort with lyrical poetry and aid crumpled hearts.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Best Amazon Prime Day Storage & Organization Deals Keep the closets neat, the drawers organized, the spices in alphabetical order, and the bedding from getting wrinkled with these genius storage and organization hacks.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Dokotoo Knit Turtleneck Sweater Chunky knits are typically more resistant to wrinkling, and this turtleneck is no exception.
    Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Mischief in the mind of Cole Martin, the defensive back, moonlighted as a magician and snatched the direct snap before darting through a crease and churning ahead for a trick of a first down.
    Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
  • LaLonde also recommends shaking out your towels before moving them to the dryer to release any creases and wrinkles.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • His fastball touched 104 mph and crackled with electricity as the Cubs notched only one hit against him.
    Andy McCullough, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Book a penthouse suite for wide-angle river views, a crackling fireplace, and a Jacuzzi built for two.
    Siobhan Reid, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Sheppard won’t have as scrunched a floor to run the offense.
    Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • To re-create the style, Abramite recommends adding mousse to damp hair and blow-drying with a diffuser while scrunching for volume at the roots and expansion throughout.
    Marci Robin, Allure, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • One of them just happened to squeak through.
    Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
  • In 1991, the Flyers salvaged the day with a tie to the Pittsburgh Penguins after the Phillies lost to the New York Mets, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers squeaked out a win against the Birds.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crinkle. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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