1
as in scrunches
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 collapses
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 crumples
My now-husband and I were newly a couple and still working out the kinks and crumples in an evolving relationship.
—
Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crumples
Verb
-
The clear formula is lightweight but substantial enough to create a cast that scrunches out softly, leaving hair touchable instead of stiff.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Hiddleston scrunches his eyes a bit at the statement.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Multiple Independence homeowners suffered structural damage, flooding or partial home collapses that week, including Manuel Ramirez and Michael Thomas, whose home was built in 1949.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Social psychologists have long demonstrated that when individuals merge into a group, nuance collapses.—
Rabbi Bruce D. Forman,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Precise placement is possible using DNA origami, which folds DNA into nanoscale shapes to guide molecules into position.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Once the tent is deflated, the owner folds the floor back inside and closes the roof.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Those records are only going to get worse with time as the team tumbles toward the draft lottery.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The ceremony turns into something reminiscent of the Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake, as the last keg tumbles down a nearby hill and the entire wedding party follows.—
Sarah Whitten,Sara Salinas,Sarah Jackson,Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Since the material never wrinkles, the pants are the ideal pick for wearing on long travel days or packing in your suitcase.—
Rachel Trujillo,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Nov. 2025
-
Harlow wrinkles her nose, the perfect picture of disgust.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crumples.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumples. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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