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 From gourmet treats to squeaky and crinkling toys, your dog or cat will appreciate these festive little surprises. Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crinkling
Verb
  • Those rustling sounds in the brush might belong to deer — or not.
    Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 30 Oct. 2025
  • In a matter of just a few days, the county judge, his son, his nephew, and one of his closest allies had been arrested in two separate incidents — the cattle-rustling case and the jury-duty hearing.
    Mitch Moxley, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The sixth inning also featured a frightening moment when Cleveland’s David Fry, squaring around to bunt, took a 99 mph fastball from Skubal off his face, crumpling to the dirt as Skubal reacted with distress.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Singh’s truck blocked both lanes of the northbound Turnpike, leading the Chrysler Town & Country minivan the three friends were riding in to slam into the semi’s 18-wheeler trailer, crumpling underneath it.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Dryer sheets soften and release wrinkles in fabrics that are prone to wrinkling, such as cotton and linen.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Nothing kills an outfit faster than a rigid denim waistband digging into your sides or linen trousers wrinkling at the first sign of sitting.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Noise of trees crackling and sap hissing, branches thumping down, timber being dragged and chopped.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Then came whispers that Netflix had put the show on its internal server, and employees couldn’t get enough of Bell and Brody’s crackling chemistry.
    Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • To re-create the style, Abramite recommends adding mousse to damp hair and blow-drying with a diffuser while scrunching for volume at the roots and expansion throughout.
    Marci Robin, Allure, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Pooling at the wrists, scrunching at the ankles, dragging on the ground — chalk these fashion challenges up to just another day in the life of this 5-foot shopping writer.
    Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But no one wants to be caught sifting through lawsuits or whispering about a castmate’s questionable business practices.
    Judy Berman, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Is the muse whispering in your ear?
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Especially under the eyes, my concealer melts into the skin without creasing.
    Essence, Essence, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Here’s a cotton dress that resists wrinkles thanks to its poplin fabric—a tight weave that boosts durability and prevents creasing.
    Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Rustling or squeaking noises Especially in the walls or ceiling.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025
  • With every enemy dead, the familiar sounds of the Halo universe are gone — there’s no Grunts squeaking insults or Jackals chattering in another language.
    Alyssa Mercante, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crinkling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crinkling. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.

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