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
  • Soft herbs over top add a rustling texture, and a prominent burst of dill.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of rustle
Verb
  • Onlookers and policemen rushed to the balloon’s basket to find the three men lying crumpled on the ground.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Later, when the water receded, Fulcher and McKay pried open the Trotters’ crumpled trailer.
    — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of crumple
Verb
  • All items arrived clean (professional cleaning is included in your BNTO box subscription) and showed no wear and tear, though they were wrinkled from shipping and needed a good steam before wearing.
    — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The same men worked in the lobby—a little fatter, a little more wrinkled and gray.
    — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of wrinkle
Noun
  • Skattebo found a crease, lowered his helmet and ran over an opposing defender.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Goalies often stand in their crease for minutes on end while the action is nearly 200 feet away.
    — Jesse Granger, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of crease
Verb
  • Champagne corks popped, fireworks crackled and motorbike engines revved to mosquito pitch.
    — Guy De Launey, NPR, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Beyond that sky-high point, Jocelyn Bioh’s 2017 comedy still crackles.
    — Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 23 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
  • Enacted in 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act squeaked through the Senate only through a tiebreaking vote cast by Vice President Kamala Harris.
    — Kayla Morton, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026
  • His three goals against the Canucks proved to be the difference, too, as the Cats needed every bit of Brady's offensive prowess to squeak out a 3-2 victory in overtime.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 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 31 Oct. 2026.

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