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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rumple
The covers and sheets on the oversized double bed were rumpled and askew.
—
Timothy Crouse, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025
Or Pritzker could try a Trump-like move and stop appearing in public looking rumpled and always insist on an ample suit coat.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 11 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for rumple
Timothy Crouse, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025
Or Pritzker could try a Trump-like move and stop appearing in public looking rumpled and always insist on an ample suit coat.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 11 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for rumple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rumple
Verb
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In recent years, researchers have discovered that, aside from fracturing, living tissues also crumple, buckle, wrinkle, and fold via physical mechanisms that produce incredible diversity with just a few slight tweaks in tissue properties and architecture.—
Clare Watson,
Quanta Magazine,
27 Feb. 2026
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When the first part of season four ends with Benedict fumbling through a disastrous proposal that Sophie become his mistress, Ha does not crumple or explode in fury.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Now’s also a great time to stock up on timeless basics like the Lands’ End Super-T Short-sleeve T-shirt, a soft cotton-jersey T-shirt that won’t wrinkle, shrink, or pill over time, and is available in a whopping 13 shades that are currently 25 percent off.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Feb. 2026
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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
Verb
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Just one week ago, a report hypothesizing on how AI could disrupt the economy sent the Dow tumbling by more than 800 points.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
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Maneuvering and hypersonic considerations Iran’s reported hypersonic designs, like the Fattah missile, focus less on speed and more on terminal maneuvering to disrupt tracking.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Talayah Walker scrunched her eyebrows at the podium when Georgia Tech coach Karen Blair mentioned — in a complimentary way — that her star sophomore had committed only one turnover Sunday.—
Stan Awtrey,
AJC.com,
3 Mar. 2026
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Comb and scrunch to distribute product evenly.—
Essence Wiley,
InStyle,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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At the bottom of the steps, Junior Sister was dressed just as haphazardly, brow furrowed with concern.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
15 Feb. 2026
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Some were nodding, brows furrowed, as if in a foreign-language class; others were trying not to bust up laughing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Knuckles is headed to Houston as the Detroit Lions shuffle the deck on offense.—
Christian Romo,
Freep.com,
3 Mar. 2026
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What supports will schools offer to students who are emotionally impacted by this sudden disruption, especially those who have already been shuffled around multiple times?—
Randy Ribay,
Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Shake them out and fold them or put them back on the bed right away for a crisp look.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
3 Mar. 2026
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The Loyal folded, and in December 2023, Ferree became the first player ever signed by SDFC.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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On the spring 2026 runways, the shift was most apparent at Celine, where sharply creased denim strode out alongside crisp blazers and the house’s now-signature silk scarves.—
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
23 Feb. 2026
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The hydrating ingredients help prevent caking or creasing as the day wears on, creating natural, even coverage.—
Irene Richardson,
InStyle,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rumple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rumple. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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