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
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Recent Examples of crumpling
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
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
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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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Iran claims to have restored order following the nationwide demonstrations that began spreading late last year over the country's collapsing currency and spiraling prices.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
23 Jan. 2026
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The shooting intensifies a person, identified as Husien, emerges from the driver’s seat of the police vehicle and runs a few dozen yards away before collapsing.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Vertical file folding for towels and clothes maximizes space and keeps drawers looking tidy longer.—
Melissa Epifano,
The Spruce,
26 Jan. 2026
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Graduates wear full-length gowns over dress clothes and sit in folding chairs on the field.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Matas Buzelis threw a ball off James while tumbling out of bounds on defense for a change of possession.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
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The shocking recording shows the front passenger door of a black SUV opening and a tiny body tumbling out and skidding along the asphalt as the vehicle makes an eastbound turn onto West Malvern Avenue from North Euclid Street in Fullerton.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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These are more prone to wrinkling than other weaves, so plan to remove them promptly from the dryer after washing (or iron them) if wrinkles bother you.—
Mary Grace Granados
Special Contributor,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crumpling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumpling. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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