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
The best Christmas cookie tins are filled with colorful sugar cookies, sprinkled gingerbread, linzers, spritzes, shortbread or sables, crinkles or crackles, even wedding cookies or special chocolate chip cookies — because why not? Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024 Crafted with a blend of three cheeses, the smashed patty is served on a Parker House Bun and topped with two crinkle pickles but no sauce. Sunny Hubler, Charlotte Observer, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
In the footage, the cat enthusiastically bats at the paper bag while its owner attempts to eat breakfast and scroll on their phone, undeterred by the chaotic soundtrack of crinkling. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025 Not just polite smiles, tacit acceptances of paparazzi attention, but broad, knowing smiles, teeth visible, eyes crinkling. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crinkle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crinkle
Noun
  • Marseille continued to plough its own furrow over the next few centuries, only very reluctantly agreeing to become the capital of Bouches-du-Rhône in 1790 when France was divided into its current regional system of departments.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 20 June 2025
  • Eyes dart, brows furrow, and Holliday lets slip a slight grin, before skinning that smoke wagon and firing one shot into Ringo’s forehead.
    Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In fact, the Hearing Health Foundation says this is about the noise level of rustling leaves or the average room noise.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2025
  • Campsites are nestled under redwoods beside a creek, and at night the sound of the ocean mixes with the rustling canopy above.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • Roads remain impassable and houses sit crumpled in ravines with no plans for repair.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2025
  • French slit Barbara Howe's throat, stripped off her clothes, cut her hair, poured chemicals on her body and left her crumpled in the trunk of her car in Middletown.
    Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • Clothes removed from these bags are almost always wrinkled.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2025
  • These travel pants are made from lightweight, breathable fabric that drapes oh-so-perfectly along the legs and doesn’t wrinkle easily, even after a long flight.
    Anne Taylor, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • How Lindy Ruff will split the workload in Buffalo’s crease will likely depend on who earns the starts.
    Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 10 July 2025
  • According to some reports such as ET News and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is determined to make this crease invisible, or at least much less noticeable than any previous folding phone.
    David Phelan, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • Fireworks to include crackling crown jellyfish, atomic rings, yellow & green sunbursts, strobing lemon cascades and comet fans.
    Kevin Quinitchett, USA Today, 4 July 2025
  • Directed and co-written by Shane Black, who made a name for himself with other smart-alecky films like the aforementioned Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and 2013's Iron Man 3, the film crackles with wise-guy banter and rich atmosphere.
    Sarah Sprague, EW.com, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • Why Jobe will not face Jude Rip up the paper, scrunch it up in a ball, and throw it in the bin.
    Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 1 July 2025
  • Audiences scrunched under the Jay Pritzker Pavilion fringe, only to play musical chairs dodging the structure’s many (and ever-changing) leaky spots.
    Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • The cords have never needed replacing, the mat hasn’t sagged, and the frame doesn’t squeak—even during more intense workouts.
    Jordan Galloway, SELF, 15 July 2025
  • Taylor faced Serrano for the first time in 2022, and though many observers believed Serrano deserved the decision, especially after badly hurting Taylor midway through, Taylor squeaked out the split decision to become the undisputed lightweight champion.
    Josh Katzowitz, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crinkle. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

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