CRINKLING Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

crinkling

verb

present participle of crinkle

as in rustling

to make small sounds usually by rubbing or moving a paper seat cover that crinkles with every move

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

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, 27 Nov. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crinkling

Verb

Imagine two prehistoric humans hearing rustling in the bushes.

— Alejandro Cárdenas Villa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
The only sounds were the birds, rustling leaves in the soft breeze, and insects buzzing around from flower to flower.

— Lucrezia Worthington, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 June 2026

Definition of rustling

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

Definition of crumpling

Verb

Linen has a reputation for wrinkling, but the beauty of these pants is that the creases look intentional.

— Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
Best Wrinkle-free Top Deals From fluttery blouses to crisp button-downs, nearly every top style is on sale for Prime Day—and many of them are resistant to wrinkling, even in your suitcase.

— Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2026

Definition of wrinkling

Verb

Quinones paused for a few seconds as a loudspeaker crackling from an LAPD helicopter circling a few streets over ordered a shooting suspect to turn themselves in.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
Sarah stretches the beaver pelt in front of her mother to shield her from the crackling ignition of the newspaperman’s flash powder.

— Claire Carusillo, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of crackling

Verb

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
Not for fear of a thunderbolt hurtling through the blue sky and, punitively, creasing his skull.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Definition of creasing

Verb

There was Katlin’s daughter, who had stolen my microphone and was now whispering something into it.

— Ethan Brooks, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
Shein filed confidentially with the SEC in November 2023, with bankers whispering valuations as high as $90 billion, and profits that the Financial Times reported had doubled past $2 billion.

— Drew Bernstein, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of whispering

Verb

So everyone’s just barely squeaking by.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 17 June 2026
But in early June last year, the Red Sox entered a series in New York at 30-34, nine games behind the first-place Yankees, before going 10-3 in their next 13 games, finishing the year on a 59-39 run and squeaking into the playoffs.

— Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 6 June 2026

Definition of squeaking

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crinkles

crinkling

cripple

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Style

“Crinkling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crinkling. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of crinkling

verb

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