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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 crumple
Last month, a Chinese coast guard vessel collided with a naval destroyer while attempting to drive away a Philippine patrol ship in the South China Sea, leaving its bow crumpled and twisted.
—
Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Adam attempted to make a play on the grounder but immediately crumpled to the ground.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The fabric of his jersey, which should suggest his movement and musculature, is instead accordion-crumpled like a piece of paper.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 30 Aug. 2025
De Santis quietly asks Labaro, while watching his distinguished guest get crumpled by the elements.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crumple
Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Adam attempted to make a play on the grounder but immediately crumpled to the ground.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The fabric of his jersey, which should suggest his movement and musculature, is instead accordion-crumpled like a piece of paper.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 30 Aug. 2025
De Santis quietly asks Labaro, while watching his distinguished guest get crumpled by the elements.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crumple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crumple
Verb
-
The cast scrunched out easily, leaving curls soft and natural-looking.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Using your hands, gently scrunch up the phyllo sheet from the middle and nestle it on top of the chicken mixture.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Only the structures that were already gravitationally bound together at that moment, not including the structures that were still collapsing and contracting on their way to becoming gravitationally bound, will actually be able to hold together.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Confidence notably collapsed during the divisive 2016 presidential campaign, the polling service says, with the highest reading in the past decade being 45% in 2018.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Engineers from Polytechnique Montréal have unveiled a new parachute concept based on kirigami, the Japanese art of folding and cutting.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Oct. 2025
-
But instead of folding in the face of adversity, Penix rose to the occasion and put together arguably the best performance of his career, which has seemingly given him a huge confidence boost moving forward.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The tests showed that wind speeds as low as 30 to 33 feet per second (9 to 10 meters per second) were sufficient to push the tumbleweed rovers, while onboard sensors were successful in capturing data as the rovers tumbled.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Movie ticket sales are down in the United States as the number of major releases hitting theaters has tumbled since the pandemic — and consumers have shifted their viewing habits to streaming platforms to watch at home.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
These luxe styles travel well, won’t wrinkle easily, and can adapt to cabin temperature changes.—
Gabriela Garcia,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Then there’s Vince Panaro, the main character of the season and weasel of all weasels, a man whose mere mention triggers noses wrinkling in distaste.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crumple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumple. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share