crinkles 1 of 2

Definition of crinklesnext
plural of crinkle
as in creases
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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crinkles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of crinkle
1
as in rustles
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 furrows
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 crinkles
Noun
The variety of body types and shapes shown here, often covered in very little, is a reminder that despite the smoothness of the people held up as worthy of admiration on Instagram, most people’s bodies and faces have lumps and bumps and creases and crinkles. Catherine Bray, Variety, 17 Dec. 2025 There’s nothing wrong with that, but the observable crinkles may be diminished. Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
Deklan's yougest sister, Juliet, 2, loves to ride on the back of her brother's wheelchair and engage in tickle fights as her nose crinkles through bouts of laughter. Beth Warren, The Tennessean, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crinkles
Noun
  • Infused with vitamin E to condition the skin, the formula glides right over the cheeks without settling into creases.
    Jenny Berg, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026
  • After a single use, these pans often become warped, dented, or weakened, leading to uneven heating and creases that can trap food residue and cause bacteria buildup.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Even Super Dog makes an appearance — cape, mask and all — ready to leap into action the moment a snack bag rustles.
    Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Meanwhile, hikers trace goat paths to the secluded Tatevi Anapat Hermitage, where wind rustles through fig trees and the only sound is the echo of footfalls on ancient stone.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • My now-husband and I were newly a couple and still working out the kinks and crumples in an evolving relationship.
    Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Formal design dates back to the ancient Egyptians, whose practice was to plant along straight furrows or channels dug for irrigation purposes.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 17 Jan. 2026
  • Young olive trees have smooth, gray bark, while the bark develops interesting furrows as the plant ages.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The whole show crackles with anything-can-happen energy.
    Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The dynamic between Portman and Ortega crackles with a specific kind of tension — the older woman who sees her younger self and resents it, the younger woman who sees her future and fears it.
    Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The clear formula is lightweight but substantial enough to create a cast that scrunches out softly, leaving hair touchable instead of stiff.
    Malia Griggs, Glamour, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Hiddleston scrunches his eyes a bit at the statement.
    StyleCaster Editors, StyleCaster, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Since the material never wrinkles, the pants are the ideal pick for wearing on long travel days or packing in your suitcase.
    Rachel Trujillo, Travel + Leisure, 24 Nov. 2025
  • Harlow wrinkles her nose, the perfect picture of disgust.
    Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Two microphones angle towards the duduk to capture resonant moans, creaks, squeaks and honks akin to the bridge’s.
    Ruby Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
  • The translation squeaks and spooks with imagery of haunts and death.
    Amber McBride, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crinkles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crinkles. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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