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
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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
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Recent Examples of crumpled
Colbert took a paper copy with the CBS statement, crumpled it, and put it in a plastic bag typically used to collect dog feces.
—
Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Irving accidentally stepped on then-Kings center Jonas Valančiūnas’ foot and crumpled to the ground in pain.
—Christian Clark, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Specifically, during a phone call Sullivan had with Eric after the ordeal, which marked a low point for the series as Eric launched into a verbal tirade while cameras captured Sullivan crumpled into a bawling heap.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
The Honda’s trunk flew open, the front crumpled.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
The polar bear crumpled three steps from Junior’s feet.
—Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 4 Feb. 2026
Ball collided hard with Lee and both crumpled quickly to the floor, quieting the arena while many looked on anxiously.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 3 Feb. 2026
An employee wiped their mouth with a paper towel, crumpled it and threw it away, then returned to food prep area without changing gloves or washing hands.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
january 30, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Graham had also been a key supporter of escalation closer to home, in Venezuela, whose government was also being crumpled by the White House into the shape of a singular terrorist network.
—Séamus Malekafzali, Washington Post, 8 Jan. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Irving accidentally stepped on then-Kings center Jonas Valančiūnas’ foot and crumpled to the ground in pain.
—Christian Clark, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Specifically, during a phone call Sullivan had with Eric after the ordeal, which marked a low point for the series as Eric launched into a verbal tirade while cameras captured Sullivan crumpled into a bawling heap.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
The Honda’s trunk flew open, the front crumpled.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
The polar bear crumpled three steps from Junior’s feet.
—Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 4 Feb. 2026
Ball collided hard with Lee and both crumpled quickly to the floor, quieting the arena while many looked on anxiously.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 3 Feb. 2026
An employee wiped their mouth with a paper towel, crumpled it and threw it away, then returned to food prep area without changing gloves or washing hands.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
january 30, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Graham had also been a key supporter of escalation closer to home, in Venezuela, whose government was also being crumpled by the White House into the shape of a singular terrorist network.
—Séamus Malekafzali, Washington Post, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crumpled
Verb
-
Late in the third quarter, Buzelis turned away from the basket and scrunched up his face in a grimace of disgust.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Fatigue is just part of the deal this season with the schedule scrunched up because of the Olympics.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The 175-foot-tall structure at the K West Reactor, roughly the height of a 17-story building, collapsed in seconds after explosives were triggered at its base.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Feb. 2026
-
But as machines moved in, mining jobs dwindled and the local economy collapsed.—
Cecilia Vega,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Bad potatoes might be mushy, bruised, wrinkled, moldy, or green.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
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Minutes stretched into hours as Evelyn focused on ensuring her wedding ring didn't slip off her fingers, now waterlogged and wrinkled.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The stock has tumbled nearly 36% from its 52-week high from July.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
25 Feb. 2026
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An Orange County house hunter’s financial burden rose 17% in the past three years, while house payments tumbled 40% in 2007-2009.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The ground beef was chopped fine on the grill and folded together with sweet, softened onions and perfectly melted American cheese, all tucked into a soft roll with crisp lettuce and tomato for balance.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Finally, the vanilla and almond extracts are folded in, which give the cake its signature taste.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crumpled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumpled. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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