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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of crumpled
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
Then, after Barnes had dragged Newcastle level and the home side had built up attacking pressure, Thiaw crumpled under a challenge from Calvert-Lewin inside his own box, stuck out an arm and handled Jaka Bijol’s nod-down.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
The Nuggets were playing the Miami Heat when Jokic crumpled to the ground holding his knee at the tail end of the first half.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2025
The concept applies to gift bags, sturdy boxes, and tissue paper that hasn’t been crumpled beyond a little smoothing.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025
In a post on X Friday morning, a user by the name of Starship Gazer, whose profile describes nearly half a decade of documenting Starship's development, posted an image of Booster 18 with much of the bottom portion of the vehicle crumpled like an empty soda can.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 21 Nov. 2025
They can be crumpled into a pack, then spring back with no problem.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 14 Nov. 2025
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
Then, after Barnes had dragged Newcastle level and the home side had built up attacking pressure, Thiaw crumpled under a challenge from Calvert-Lewin inside his own box, stuck out an arm and handled Jaka Bijol’s nod-down.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
The Nuggets were playing the Miami Heat when Jokic crumpled to the ground holding his knee at the tail end of the first half.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2025
The concept applies to gift bags, sturdy boxes, and tissue paper that hasn’t been crumpled beyond a little smoothing.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025
In a post on X Friday morning, a user by the name of Starship Gazer, whose profile describes nearly half a decade of documenting Starship's development, posted an image of Booster 18 with much of the bottom portion of the vehicle crumpled like an empty soda can.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 21 Nov. 2025
They can be crumpled into a pack, then spring back with no problem.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 14 Nov. 2025
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
-
Photo by Anne Arundel County Fire Department In Harford County, crews rescued four cows, a bull and a horse after a barn collapsed.—
Mike Hellgren,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Sutton said Minneapolis policing has collapsed since the 2020 unrest, noting the city is authorized for about 900 officers but now has roughly 550, with only around 265 patrol officers available to police the entire city.—
Stepheny Price , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Even if your flight is only a quick duration, no one wants to look sloppy, wrinkled, or feel uncomfortable.—
Michelle Baricevic,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The metallized effect leaves the pants looking—well—completely wrinkled.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Shares of the Turkish state lender Halk Bankasi AS tumbled on Wednesday following the adjournment of a court status conference in the US related to charges of evading sanctions on Iran.—
Beril Akman,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Amphenol — The maker of sensors and connectors tumbled more than 12%.—
Scott Schnipper,
CNBC,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In some cases, the philtrum is so long that the red of the lip has folded under, completely concealing the top teeth when the mouth is neutral or even when smiling.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Some genuinely funny moments emerge from the collision of Hollywood humdrum and superhero absurdity, as if The Studio had been folded lightly into the MCU, a sensibility that reflects Guest’s comedy pedigree on Community and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crumpled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumpled. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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