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
Although cotton is not always the most advisable material for travel, the gauzy crinkle texture of this top naturally disguises wrinkles. Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2025 Sides include salty meets crispy crinkle fries, briny pickle chips and a cooling kale slaw, which will quickly become your best friend. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
The jacket features two-way stretch for mobility and makes minimal noise on the run—there’s no annoying swoosh-swoosh or crinkling sound with every arm swing. Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 20 Nov. 2024 Philadelphia Flyers fans of a certain age are permitted to shake their heads and crinkle their noses when they’re reminded of the details. Kevin Kurz, The Athletic, 10 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for crinkle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crinkle
Noun
  • 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
  • Where there once were homes and gardens was now a wide furrow of dirt, as if a giant had swiped his foot across it.
    Eduardo Medina, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • American and Chicago flags rustled slightly in the wind.
    Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The rustling sound of paper, tissue paper or cardboard while playing with a toy can mimic the sound of rustling through leaves.
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Something similar might be happening in Tibet today as the tectonic plate carrying India rams into that of Asia and crumples the crust against the Tibetan plateau.
    Alexandra Witze, JSTOR Daily, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Photos from the scene showed the maroon car crumpled.
    David Matthews, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Traditional linen pants typically wrinkle easily, but according to several reviewers, this pair made from linen and cotton — the perfect combo for breezy summer pants — do not.
    Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Nessa wrinkles her nose when Elphie wheels her closer.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • For hanging scrolls, creases are common because scrolls are always rolled up and down—but over time, creases can create tears.
    Nathan Pugh, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025
  • This method will minimize creases and save suitcase space.
    Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The stories, jagged tales of sissies, losers, and assholes, showcase a more expansive palette and are written with sharp prose that crackles with transgressive glee.
    Grace Byron, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The book is a cautionary tale but also a celebration, and serves as a reminder that the essence of the Bangles always lay in their adroit songwriting (both in the early days and on two excellent reunion albums) and crackling live performances.
    airmail.news, airmail.news, 15 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Then, scrunch mousse in, coating the hair from the roots to ends.
    Natasha Marsh, Allure, 7 Apr. 2025
  • As Chelsea, Wood widens her eyes and slants her eyebrows up when confused, bares her teeth and scrunches her whole face in terror, and barely contains her smile when smitten.
    Ashliene McMenamy, Allure, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The set also squeaks back onto the Top Album Sales list, coming in at No. 50.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Overall, Karuizawa represented 17 percent of Sotheby’s auctions, while the Macallan squeaked by at 18 percent and Chinese baijiu brand Kweichow Moutai came in third with 15 percent.
    Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crinkle. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

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