1
2
as in crumpling
to create (as by crushing) an irregular mass of creases in
crinkled the candy wrapper up and threw it away
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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, 27 Nov. 2025
Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crinkling
Verb
-
The mystery of the dead cows was never solved, but Skeet and three other men were arrested for cattle rustling.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The Kohala Coast is living proof that nature is medicine, from the birdsong to the Tradewinds rustling the coconut palms to the deep blue-green waters of the Pacific lapping the shoreline.—
Everett Potter,
Forbes.com,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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Many shower curtain liners can be washed in the washing machine with baking soda to bust through tough grime and mildew and a towel to keep the liner from wrinkling.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
19 Jan. 2026
-
These are more prone to wrinkling than other weaves, so plan to remove them promptly from the dryer after washing (or iron them) if wrinkles bother you.—
Mary Grace Granados
Special Contributor,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The best of the bunch run the gamut from crowd-pleasing interpretations of tonka bean and leather to on-the-nose odes to a crackling fireplace.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Ooh, Charlie is delivering that crackling energy back.—
William Earl,
Variety,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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He could be seen scrunching his face in anticipation.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
27 Dec. 2025
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Sit in a chair with your feet flat on the ground and use your toes to grab and curl the towel toward you, scrunching it up several times before switching sides.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
26 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Sinners Breaks the Oscar Record Shortly before the nominations were announced, Hollywood began whispering about the possibility of Sinners breaking the record for most Oscar nominations for a single film.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
22 Jan. 2026
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Churchgoers began whispering to one another about what to do, and then several children burst into tears during the commotion, Rebecca said.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The ubiquitous appeal of the style has challenged underwear designers to find ways to reduce the potential for creasing and make even a full-coverage design undetectable.—
Abby Morgan Lebet,
InStyle,
22 Jan. 2026
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The lift even handles my 150-pound mattress with ease, not even creasing a pillow.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Barely squeaking its way into the 19th century, Anmer Hall was constructed in 1802.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
16 Jan. 2026
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After losing to Oklahoma, squeaking by South Carolina and messing around with LSU aren’t gutsy showings but reflections of inconsistency.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
19 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crinkling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crinkling. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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