1
as in to crumple
to create (as by crushing) an irregular mass of creases in
the guest rumpled the antique bedspread by lying down on it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to disrupt
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
the aunt would invariably rumple the little boy's hair whenever she came to visit
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rumple
And there was no single form of equilibrium for a knitted sweater's resting shape; rather, there were multiple metastable states that were dependent on the fabric's history—the different ways it had been folded, stretched, or rumpled.
—
Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2024
Her hair is frizzy, or her dress is rumpled, but that disheveledness was something that Turini wanted to explore in Maddie’s wardrobe to signify her lack of self.
—Kerensa Cadenas, IndieWire, 16 Aug. 2024
Cooley was a prosecutor straight out of central casting, as Trump might put it, gray-haired and a bit rumpled, who gave the impression of having witnessed more than his share of crime victims’ pain.
—Dan Morain, The Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2024
It was returned to me with its chiffon over-layer in shreds and my previously thriving silk buds were rumpled, drooping, and wilted—like a flower bed dug up by the neighbor’s dog.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 20 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for rumple
Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2024
Her hair is frizzy, or her dress is rumpled, but that disheveledness was something that Turini wanted to explore in Maddie’s wardrobe to signify her lack of self.
—Kerensa Cadenas, IndieWire, 16 Aug. 2024
Cooley was a prosecutor straight out of central casting, as Trump might put it, gray-haired and a bit rumpled, who gave the impression of having witnessed more than his share of crime victims’ pain.
—Dan Morain, The Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2024
It was returned to me with its chiffon over-layer in shreds and my previously thriving silk buds were rumpled, drooping, and wilted—like a flower bed dug up by the neighbor’s dog.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 20 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for rumple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rumple
Verb
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Cause of crash is being investigated Videos of the accident show the carriage toppled to its side and crashed into a building on the steep and narrow street, with parts of the streetcar crumpled.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
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Last month, a Chinese coast guard vessel collided with a naval destroyer while attempting to drive away a Philippine patrol ship in the South China Sea, leaving its bow crumpled and twisted.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The slim fit of these long sleeves is perfect for tucking into bottoms, and the super-soft, stretchy fabric won’t wrinkle easily when folded into your travel bag.—
Amber Cardullo,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Aug. 2025
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After a nutria was tossed fifteen or twenty times, snotlike entrails began to protrude from the bullet holes, at which point Miss Louisiana, wrinkling her nose, would place it in a trash bucket and select a fresh carcass from the cooler.—
Nathaniel Rich,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Additionally, pollution accumulation and vessel noise disrupt their echolocation abilities, making hunting increasingly difficult.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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Free of sulfates, fragrances, and dyes, the Gentle Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner won’t disrupt your scalp’s barrier.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Using your hands, gently scrunch up the phyllo sheet from the middle and nestle it on top of the chicken mixture.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
5 Sep. 2025
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And some ankle booties with wedge heels might appear moderate, but can actually throw your weight onto the balls of your feet, scrunching your toes up against the toe box.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In the final scene, the camera zooms in slowly on Daisy, eyebrows furrowed with an intense glare in her eyes.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
29 Aug. 2025
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With his brow perennially furrowed and hair slicked with sweat, Riley has the exact look and bearing of a suavely addled wrong-man figure from British thrillers of yore — and thus makes a suitably bemused proxy for the viewers in this wasteland of mounting chaos and absurdity.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Gakpo is deeper, and Wirtz pushes forward as the central member of Liverpool’s forward line, while Ekitike shuffles across as the left of the trio.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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Declining enrollment means the district may need to shuffle schools, students, or teachers to ensure each school is well attended, and the student-teacher ratios are well-balanced.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Quick Packing Tips For A Longer Cruise Rolling rather than folding clothes can save space and help prevent deep creases, especially when combined with packing cubes.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Phones that fold in half like the Galaxy Z Fold and Google Pixel Pro Fold are usually thicker than your average phone when closed, sometimes resembling two phones stacked on top of one another.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Whenever your look goes from airbrushed to a little too lived in—think smudging, creasing, and product settling into fine lines.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
28 Aug. 2025
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Flyer gone damp in his hand, creases shredding how cut cotton would.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Rumple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rumple. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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