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
For my upcoming spring and summer trips, I’ve been focused on pieces that stay polished no matter how long they’ve been packed, from breezy maxi dresses to one-and-done jumpsuits that won’t come out crumpled.
—
Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2026
Homes and buildings are crumpled into themselves, unrecognizable.
—Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 30 Apr. 2026
Some might view that as a bad thing, given that the Broncos’ run-game consistency crumpled after that Dobbins injury.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
Take a half a sheet of parchment paper, crumple it completely, open it and use it to line the walls of the pan.
—Amisha Gurbani, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crumple
Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2026
Homes and buildings are crumpled into themselves, unrecognizable.
—Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 30 Apr. 2026
Some might view that as a bad thing, given that the Broncos’ run-game consistency crumpled after that Dobbins injury.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
Take a half a sheet of parchment paper, crumple it completely, open it and use it to line the walls of the pan.
—Amisha Gurbani, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crumple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crumple
Verb
-
As the players headed to their benches and the officials took their customary walks to the scorer’s table for the time out, Atkinson scrunched his face, stuck out his hands, and mockingly clapped toward Blair — who ignored the obvious taunt.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
In the meantime, Atomi encourages people to try the supine core and toe-scrunching exercises at home.—
Lindsey Leake,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The weekend, for all its promise, tends to collapse into logistics, half-finished to-do lists and the quiet companionship of two people watching the same screen.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
Intellectual humility — the willingness to update your beliefs when the machine pushes back, rather than digging in or collapsing entirely.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Using a flexible bench scraper or hard plastic spatula, fold dough over and onto itself several times, scraping bottom and sides of bowl, to bring together into a mass (dough will feel very wet and sticky).—
Claire Saffitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 May 2026
-
The bench-seat cushion comes off to reveal a fold-out mattress that fits both full and queen size sheets, so this bed comfortably fits two people.—
Paige Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Even then, Toyota never had the outright pace of BMW, with the #8 Toyota eventually tumbling out of the top 10 after two stops on consecutive laps.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
-
Finally, a handful of raw salmon chunks came tumbling out of the last chute.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Even if your flight is only a quick duration, no one wants to look sloppy, wrinkled, or feel uncomfortable.—
Michelle Baricevic,
Travel + Leisure,
9 May 2026
-
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,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crumple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumple. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
