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
Spread the bedding out as much as possible in the machine so it’s not crumpled or folded.
—
Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 15 Mar. 2026
One woman crumpled into the arms of her fellow protesters.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
Pictures posted by the South Metro Fire Rescue show the Jeep crumpled between the semitrailer and the building, with extensive damage to the gas station.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
First responders found the victim crumpled in the street.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026
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
Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 15 Mar. 2026
One woman crumpled into the arms of her fellow protesters.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
Pictures posted by the South Metro Fire Rescue show the Jeep crumpled between the semitrailer and the building, with extensive damage to the gas station.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2026
First responders found the victim crumpled in the street.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crumpled
Verb
-
Talayah Walker scrunched her eyebrows at the podium when Georgia Tech coach Karen Blair mentioned — in a complimentary way — that her star sophomore had committed only one turnover Sunday.—
Stan Awtrey,
AJC.com,
3 Mar. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
King collapsed on the field last May and eventually underwent heart surgery.—
Damian Calhoun,
Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
On hearing her name, Madigan collapsed into the arms of her husband, actor Ed Harris.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Bad potatoes might be mushy, bruised, wrinkled, moldy, or green.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
-
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
-
Names like Mario Batali and Gino D’Acampo, along with tertiary institutions like Bon Appétit and major media organizations, have tumbled from prominence due to allegations of toxic or bullying behavior.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
12 Mar. 2026
-
While Democrats have more negative feelings about the court, the poll found that Republican confidence has also tumbled in recent years.—
Marissa Martinez,
NBC news,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The nonfiction unit will be folded into Sony Pictures TV Studios president Katherine Pope’s portfolio, SPT chairman Keith Le Goy wrote in a memo to staff Wednesday.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The division previously reported directly to LeGoy but will now be folded within Sony Pictures Television Studios, which is run by President Katherine Pope.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crumpled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumpled. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
