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
Cause of crash is being investigated Videos of the accident show the carriage toppled to its side and crashed into a building on the steep and narrow street, with parts of the streetcar crumpled.
—
Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
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
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
Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
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
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
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
-
Smith’s extended lunge was needed as Chapman’s throw barely beat Pages’ speed, but Smith instantly collapsed onto his side.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
14 Sep. 2025
-
As usual, Florida’s offense looked stagnant and rarely gave the sophomore quarterback good options before his pocket collapsed.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
14 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
-
Hours after the initial shipping containers fell into the ocean, more containers tumbled onto the port side.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Synopsys — Shares tumbled 35% after the semiconductor tool supplier posted disappointing fiscal third-quarter results.—
Fred Imbert,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Repeat alternating and folding until all ingredients are added and folded in.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The handheld food item is made with the brand’s Thin N’ Crispy crust, folded around toppings and cheese, then baked and sprinkled with Parmesan and oregano.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crumpled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumpled. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share