1
as in scrunched
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 collapsed
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 crumpled
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
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
The minivan crumpled underneath the 18-wheeler’s trailer — killing three people.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2025
Barry then crumpled the paper and threw it in a trash can.
—Alex Riggins, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2025
Greco handed Honan an open bag of chips with the top crumpled.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2025
Barry then crumpled the paper and threw it in a trash can.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
At the edge of that gate, a mother crumpled forward ― her elbows pushing into the pew rail, her head in both hands.
—Stephanie Kuzydym, The Courier-Journal, 15 Aug. 2025
Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 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
The minivan crumpled underneath the 18-wheeler’s trailer — killing three people.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2025
Barry then crumpled the paper and threw it in a trash can.
—Alex Riggins, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2025
Greco handed Honan an open bag of chips with the top crumpled.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2025
Barry then crumpled the paper and threw it in a trash can.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
At the edge of that gate, a mother crumpled forward ― her elbows pushing into the pew rail, her head in both hands.
—Stephanie Kuzydym, The Courier-Journal, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crumpled
Verb
-
Kavya tugs on my arm, her nose is scrunched up, eyebrows discombobulated.—
Navdeep Singh Dhillon,
Parents,
21 Aug. 2025
-
An image of his little face, scrunched in discomfort, but no sound coming from his little mouth, was instantly clear.—
Zoë Jones,
Vogue,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The Department of Buildings told CBS News New York and News 12 Long Island that a 10-by-10-inch section of the ceiling collapsed due to possible water damage, and pieces of the building fell on customers dining inside.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Tottenham collapsed last season when Romero and Mickey van de Ven spent months out injured.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Every plot point is wrinkled or changed in some fundamental way.—
Joe Lynch,
Billboard,
18 Oct. 2024
-
The vinyl decals, featuring salmon crying to get beyond the first of the dams, were wrinkled, the banner itself battle-scarred in places.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
The Arizona Republic,
12 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
Stellantis tumbled more than 5%.—
Benzinga,
Freep.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Constellation Brands shares tumbled more than 6% after the Modelo and Corona parent company cut its outlook for the fiscal year.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
However, butterhead leaves aren't as tightly folded as some other types, such as iceberg lettuce.—
Lauren O'Connor,
Health,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The method in which they’re folded, either down the middle or the side, determines whether the filling is ricotta or pea.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crumpled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumpled. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share