Synonyms of crumple

crumple

verb

ˈkrəm-pəl 

1

as in to scrunch

to create (as by crushing) an irregular mass of creases in

crumpled the piece of paper and angrily threw it in the wastebasket

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scrunch
• fold
• wrinkle
• crinkle
• rumple
• furrow
• crease
• ripple
• pucker
• crisp
• ruffle
• knit
• crimp
• corrugate
• pleat
• ruck
• muss (up)
• contract
• mess (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• flatten
• smooth
• straighten
• iron out
• press
• even
• iron
• unfold
• smoothen
• uncrumple
• tidy
• neaten

2

as in to collapse

to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure

the box crumpled when I accidentally dropped a brick on it

Synonyms & Similar Words

• collapse
• tumble
• go
• buckle
• crumble
• shatter
• melt
• die
• give
• yield
• implode
• go out
• flatten
• give way
• cave (in)
• founder
• fail
• crash
• burst
• smash
• break
• deflate
• snap
• crack
• pop
• split
• stall
• give out
• break down
• splinter
• melt down
• conk (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rise
• swell
• inflate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of crumple

Inflation is part of the show, as across the valley floor, enormous envelopes lie crumpled in fields before fans slowly give them shape—then the burners start, sending pulses of orange through the fabric. — Scott Campbell, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026

According to National Geographic, as the Arabian plate began to move further under the Eurasian plate, the two plates crumpled together, creating the Zagros Mountains — an impressive stretch of peaks that still exist in Iran. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

This means using quick, decisive movements to crumple the paper into the jar and seal it. — Emma Jacobson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Aug. 2026

Tear off a sheet of aluminum foil and crumple it into a ball. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 29 July 2026