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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 crinkle
Noun
For evening, lean into edge with The Frankie Shop’s faux-leather capris—just add polished almond-toe pumps, a crinkle tank from Toteme, and a Bottega Veneta bag for a refined after-hours look. — Laura Jackson, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2026 These wide-leg pants are made from crinkle fabric that naturally moves with your body. — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
Remove the sheet pan from the oven, then drop it twice on a heatproof counter or other surface to deflate and crinkle the cookies. — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026 Borage is a gorgeous plant, with showy blue blooms and crinkled, gray-green leaves. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 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
  • In fossils, tooth marks often look like punctures or furrows.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 15 July 2026
  • In furrows of pain, The good now germinates.
    — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2026
Definition of furrow
Verb
  • The only sounds were the birds, rustling leaves in the soft breeze, and insects buzzing around from flower to flower.
    — Lucrezia Worthington, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 June 2026
  • As the ocean breeze kicked up, the palms rustled around us.
    — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
Definition of rustle
Verb
  • The 23-year-old crumpled to the ground, clutching his left hand before walking off with trainers.
    — Alejandro Avila, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026
  • By all accounts, DC Studios’ Supergirl crumpled beneath the red sun of paltry box-office returns, taking in just $38 million domestically over its opening weekend.
    — Chris Lee, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Definition of crumple
Verb
  • As gray and wrinkled as the bottom of a mummy’s foot, the Cyclops’ face is wonderfully askew, like he was stepped on by someone even bigger than him.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026
  • Her husband wrinkled his forehead, momentarily, as if trying to place her.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
Definition of wrinkle
Noun
  • The original bZ4X looked like someone had challenged the design team to fit as many creases and contrasting panels onto one crossover as physically possible.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 July 2026
  • Nothing ruins a great outfit like unsightly clothing wrinkles and stubborn creases.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 18 July 2026
Definition of crease
Verb
  • The baby monitor, propped up on the salad bowl, crackles in the background.
    — Imogen Crimp, Vogue, 20 July 2026
  • The play’s issues are greatly outweighed by the many hilarious lines that crackle all over the stage, so many of them perfectly timed and out of left field, causing surprising morsels of legit laughter.
    — David John Chávez, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
Definition of crackle
Verb
  • Pick Ups Toe pick-ups involve picking up small items by scrunching your toes around them.
    — Jennifer Klump, Verywell Health, 17 July 2026
  • The compressive fabric creates a smoothing effect that doesn’t feel suffocating and the 7/8 length is perfect for my petite height since the bottoms don’t scrunch up at the ankles.
    — Melony Forcier, InStyle, 17 July 2026
Definition of scrunch
Verb
  • Metal frames have a tendency to click and squeak, but reviewers tout this frame’s noise-free build.
    — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 16 July 2026
  • Schwarber, who barely squeaked out of the first round, went first.
    — Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of squeak

Browse Nearby Words

cringing (at)
crinkle
crinkled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crinkle. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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