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
Example Sentences
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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
The man crumples to the ground while the officer turns to walk away as the other officers stand by.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 11 Oct. 2025
Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
The man crumples to the ground while the officer turns to walk away as the other officers stand by.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 11 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crumples
Verb
-
Four exercises, including the toe scrunches, to help improve balance.—
Lindsey Leake,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
When a star dies and collapses, its mass is concentrated into an unimaginably dense point.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
3 June 2026
-
Stephon Castle, Julian Champagnie and Dylan Harper need to hit their open threes as the Knicks' defense collapses.—
David Troy OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
One dancer folds their body, slowly easing their way to the ground, while the others watch.—
Steven Vargas,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
Those guest cabins can be built as doubles, twins, or a single with a Pullman bed that folds away to create space for a drop-down desk or vanity.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The film, which is set to bow in Un Certain Regard on May 21, tumbles through tones, swerving through pitch-black humor, empathy, fury and larger-than-life moments.—
William Earl,
Variety,
20 May 2026
-
The flagellar bundle falls apart, and the cell tumbles.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
20 Apr. 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,
30 Apr. 2026
-
There are still some lingering discrepancies, wrinkles that the team thinks other collisions between particles with sizes between protons and iron could help to iron out.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crumples.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumples. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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