crinkling

present participle of crinkle
1
as in rustling
to make small sounds usually by rubbing or moving a paper seat cover that crinkles with every move

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
3
as in wrinkling
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 crinkling Quince’s vacation shop has an entire lineup of summer styles in cotton gauze, modal, and tencel, all light enough to keep you comfortable on the hottest days — and structured to maintain their shape without crinkling up in your luggage. — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crinkling
Verb
  • The tree still stood, waiting, but no one visited, no one entered the world under her strong branches, her rustling leaves.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Guests love the serene jungle setting with sweet birdsong in the background and a gentle wind rustling through the trees.
    — Jasreen Mayal Khanna, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Euphoric players cavorting in disbelief, long-suffering fans crumpling to their knees in tears, commentators’ voices cracking at the drama of it all.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • Moses Moody scored 23 points before crumpling to the floor with an apparently serious left knee injury late in overtime as the Golden State Warriors beat Dallas 137-131 on Monday night, extending the Mavericks' home losing streak to 12 games, their longest in 32 years.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Highly versatile for work or travel, reviewers rave that the soft fabric packs beautifully without wrinkling.
    — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Linen has a reputation for wrinkling, but the beauty of these pants is that the creases look intentional.
    — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
Verb
  • Take time in Amana for shopping and Wiener schnitzel, then drive on US-6 to Fireside Winery in Marengo for a glass of dry Cordovan by the crackling fire.
    — Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 12 Sep. 2026
  • El Eden Import Distributor recalled packages of De Todito mixed with chicharrón, also known as pork crackling, that was sent to a distributor in New Jersey and retail locations in New Jersey and Utah.
    — James Powel, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Next, flip the head forward while scrunching upwards to help enhance curl definition.
    — Elise Tabin, InStyle, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Pick Ups Toe pick-ups involve picking up small items by scrunching your toes around them.
    — Jennifer Klump, Verywell Health, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • The formula is designed to deliver up to 16 hours of wear without primer and is resistant to creasing, caking, fading and smudging.
    — Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Samsung has unveiled a new flexible display technology for foldable phones that’s designed to be slimmer, more durable, and less prone to creasing.
    — Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 15 July 2026
Verb
  • Eventually, my mother comes downstairs again and puts her arms around him and holds him, whispering something to him, words that to me are meaningless and incomprehensible.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
  • On multiple occasions, she could be heard whispering her husband’s answers as Sandusky struggled to hear.
    — Mark Puleo, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The teams went back and forth in the first set, with the Wildcats squeaking out a 25-23 set.
    — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2026
  • LightDesire Musical Caterpillar Tummy Time Toy From squeaking noises to baby rattles to teething toys, this music caterpillar contributes to a complete multi-sensory experience.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Crinkling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crinkling. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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