1
as in scrunching
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 collapsing
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crumpling
The question is whether the world can take that long of a shock without crumpling beneath the weight of rising inflation and staggering growth.
—
Tristan Bove, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2026
The oar swung violently in its oarlock, knocking him into the river and crumpling the raft’s aluminum frame.
—Emilee Coblentz, Outside, 11 Feb. 2026
The sixth inning also featured a frightening moment when Cleveland’s David Fry, squaring around to bunt, took a 99 mph fastball from Skubal off his face, crumpling to the dirt as Skubal reacted with distress.
—Zack Meisel, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Singh’s truck blocked both lanes of the northbound Turnpike, leading the Chrysler Town & Country minivan the three friends were riding in to slam into the semi’s 18-wheeler trailer, crumpling underneath it.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Tristan Bove, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2026
The oar swung violently in its oarlock, knocking him into the river and crumpling the raft’s aluminum frame.
—Emilee Coblentz, Outside, 11 Feb. 2026
The sixth inning also featured a frightening moment when Cleveland’s David Fry, squaring around to bunt, took a 99 mph fastball from Skubal off his face, crumpling to the dirt as Skubal reacted with distress.
—Zack Meisel, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Singh’s truck blocked both lanes of the northbound Turnpike, leading the Chrysler Town & Country minivan the three friends were riding in to slam into the semi’s 18-wheeler trailer, crumpling underneath it.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crumpling
Verb
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He could be seen scrunching his face in anticipation.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
27 Dec. 2025
-
Sit in a chair with your feet flat on the ground and use your toes to grab and curl the towel toward you, scrunching it up several times before switching sides.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
26 Dec. 2025
Verb
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A number of buildings were seen collapsing in this wave of strikes on Friday as the death toll continues to rise, an ABC News team in Lebanon observed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
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What becomes cheap or free Khosla’s deflationary vision is built on a series of sectors collapsing in cost.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Instead of struggling to get your cane from the overhead bin or waiting for a flight attendant to get it from a plane closet for you, consider this folding cane that can fit under the seat in front of you.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
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Grandparents sat in folding chairs.—
Monti Carlo,
AJC.com,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The tumbling Jazz, sitting their best players — injured and healthy — proved that again late Monday night in Utah by beating Golden State 119-116.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
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Markets reacted swiftly, with Dow futures tumbling 900 points.—
Nur Hikmah Md Ali,
CNBC,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The report noted wrinkling on Smith’s hands from water immersion, according to People.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
27 Feb. 2026
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Many shower curtain liners can be washed in the washing machine with baking soda to bust through tough grime and mildew and a towel to keep the liner from wrinkling.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crumpling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumpling. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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