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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of crumpled
Midway through the second period, Dorofeyev blocked a slap shot off the inside of his knee and crumpled to the ice in pain.
—
Eric Stephens, New York Times, 13 May 2026
The hardcore ankle boots are now dehydrated and crumpled.
—Liana Satenstein, Vogue, 8 May 2026
Authorities found Spungen crumpled in their hotel room's bathroom, bloodied and dead of a single stab wound to her abdomen.
—Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
Cincinnati Reds closer Emilio Pagán crumpled to the ground with an injury after throwing just one pitch on Tuesday.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
According to National Geographic, as the Arabian plate began to move further under the Eurasian plate, the two plates crumpled together, creating the Zagros Mountains – an impressive stretch of peaks that still exist in Iran.
—Sarah Tamimi, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
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
Eric Stephens, New York Times, 13 May 2026
The hardcore ankle boots are now dehydrated and crumpled.
—Liana Satenstein, Vogue, 8 May 2026
Authorities found Spungen crumpled in their hotel room's bathroom, bloodied and dead of a single stab wound to her abdomen.
—Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
Cincinnati Reds closer Emilio Pagán crumpled to the ground with an injury after throwing just one pitch on Tuesday.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
According to National Geographic, as the Arabian plate began to move further under the Eurasian plate, the two plates crumpled together, creating the Zagros Mountains – an impressive stretch of peaks that still exist in Iran.
—Sarah Tamimi, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crumpled
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
-
Louis' scrunched up face got an affectionate giggle out of his dad as the two sat side-by-side at the 80th anniversary of VE Day in 2025.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At the same time, however, the study documented dimming events including in Ukraine and Gaza as wars unfolded, in Venezuela as the economy collapsed, and in parts of Europe when governments enacted energy conservation mandates following the Russia-Ukraine war.—
Bree Shirvell,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
-
Some officers were killed in the exchange of fire, while others died after part of the building collapsed, according to local police.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 May 2026
Verb
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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
-
My skin is wrinkled and worn from age, reflecting years of experience and wisdom.—
David McGrath,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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New apartment construction in Los Angeles County tumbled 33% over the same period, hitting an 11-year low in the three months through December.—
Roger Vincent,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
As reading scores tumbled over the past decade, parents, scholars and literacy advocates pushed for teaching methods that align with decades of research about how kids learn to read — largely by sounding out words.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Maybe a whole roast chicken appeared, or its meat was folded into a gooey casserole with a few peas and carrot chunks.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 May 2026
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The umbrellas were folded, and the van sped off to drive the four blocks to the Met.—
Jane Bua,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crumpled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumpled. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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