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
  • Many of them are made from wrinkle-resistant fabrics or soft knits that bounce back after being packed, while others rely on flowy silhouettes and forgiving textures that don’t show creases.
    Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Garments spanning nylon half-zips to French Terry sweatshirts, garments look faded and worn-in and feature hallmarks of denim like whiskers, creases, abrasions and breakages that tell stories of time and use.
    Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 24 Apr. 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
  • The man crumples to the ground while the officer turns to walk away as the other officers stand by.
    Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Young olive trees have smooth, gray bark, while the bark develops interesting furrows as the plant ages.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2026
  • This creates an intricate network of microscopic cracks that, in addition to visible furrows, help retain the water elephants douse themselves in to stay cool.
    Clare Watson, Quanta Magazine, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • This anger crackles around him like a smoldering fire, igniting and engulfing everyone from the workers on his farm, his meek sister Férula (Fernanda Castillo), to Clara and, eventually, to their daughter, Blanca (Sara Becker and later Fernanda Urrejola), Alba’s idealistic mother.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
  • As the fire crackles, groups of children go around the neighborhood singing Lohri songs.
    Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Four exercises, including the toe scrunches, to help improve balance.
    Lindsey Leake, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026
  • 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
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, 30 Apr. 2026
  • There are still some lingering discrepancies, wrinkles that the team thinks other collisions between particles with sizes between protons and iron could help to iron out.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Say your engine has an oil leak, the A/C fan belt squeaks intermittently, and the two front tires are close to bald.
    Oc Register, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
  • Basketball squeaks, the theory went, were an example of the same phenomenon.
    Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 25 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Crinkles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crinkles. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

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