as in messy
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
a rumpled room that suited its teenage occupant just fine
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in crumpled
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in disrupted
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 rumpled
Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2026
Erika’s brother, Klaus (August Diehl), sits naked by a rumpled bed with last night’s conquest still muddled up with his sheets, talking on the phone to his sister.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 14 May 2026
Because this is a Jean-Luc Godard film, only Lemmy Caution (Eddie Constantine), a rumpled American private eye who seems to have stepped straight out of one of the classic Hollywood noirs Godard loved.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026
Vanessa Bonet of the installation art group Dedo Vabo watched over a mission-control monitor deck, as the buzzing craft climbed into room full of braying hippos in rumpled suits.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Both the oak and walnut speak to traditional Japandi styles, and both would look particularly handsome with a rumpled, fluffy set of TEKLA sheets to polish off the cozy look.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 16 Mar. 2026
While the ultra-modern, pin-straight iteration may be the first image to come to mind, its more rumpled little sister pairs seamlessly with the natural texture of curls and coils.
—Krista Carter, InStyle, 17 Feb. 2026
Several of the most striking photographs in the book are of the studio itself, which appears empty except for a pair of high heels reflected in a wall of mirrors or a rumpled military blanket, a favorite backdrop, pinned to a bare wall.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2025
When our dissatisfaction came adorably clothed in rumpled flannels and baggy jeans?
—Nora Dahlia, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Anton Money, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
When his teams didn’t entertain, Moe became the show, this cursing, grumbling, rumpled 6-foot-5 firebrand who dressed like a ’70s private detective, a disheveled anti-hero who detested suits.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
He was rumpled in the summer heat and wearing a collarless white shirt.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Years of unpacking creased, rumpled clothing and settling on a lesser-cute backup outfit have taught me to prioritize building my travel wardrobe around wrinkle-free pieces.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2026
Erika’s brother, Klaus (August Diehl), sits naked by a rumpled bed with last night’s conquest still muddled up with his sheets, talking on the phone to his sister.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 14 May 2026
Because this is a Jean-Luc Godard film, only Lemmy Caution (Eddie Constantine), a rumpled American private eye who seems to have stepped straight out of one of the classic Hollywood noirs Godard loved.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026
Vanessa Bonet of the installation art group Dedo Vabo watched over a mission-control monitor deck, as the buzzing craft climbed into room full of braying hippos in rumpled suits.
—Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Both the oak and walnut speak to traditional Japandi styles, and both would look particularly handsome with a rumpled, fluffy set of TEKLA sheets to polish off the cozy look.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 16 Mar. 2026
While the ultra-modern, pin-straight iteration may be the first image to come to mind, its more rumpled little sister pairs seamlessly with the natural texture of curls and coils.
—Krista Carter, InStyle, 17 Feb. 2026
Several of the most striking photographs in the book are of the studio itself, which appears empty except for a pair of high heels reflected in a wall of mirrors or a rumpled military blanket, a favorite backdrop, pinned to a bare wall.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2025
When our dissatisfaction came adorably clothed in rumpled flannels and baggy jeans?
—Nora Dahlia, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
The silver hide rumpled and stretched over the massive body.
—Anton Money, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
When his teams didn’t entertain, Moe became the show, this cursing, grumbling, rumpled 6-foot-5 firebrand who dressed like a ’70s private detective, a disheveled anti-hero who detested suits.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026
He was rumpled in the summer heat and wearing a collarless white shirt.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rumpled
Adjective
-
Russia’s departure from World War 1 led to a savage revolution; its loss in Afghanistan heralded the messy collapse of the Soviet Union; and Moscow levelled much of Grozny before giving Chechnya autonomy in 1996.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
-
The last case highlights the messy and contentious process the Founding Fathers underwent to form the federal government.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
One of the victims fled to a McDonald's restaurant where his bloodstained clothes, which were likely cut off by paramedics, were crumpled on the floor near the entrance.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
-
First responders found Russo crumpled in the front passenger seat of the wreckage and Flanagan, his friend, stacked on top of him.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
At the combine, as executives and scouts furrowed their brows and furtively took notes, Mann and I stood on the concourse, watching team personnel watch prospects work out.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
4 June 2026
-
They were furrowed throughout his testimony.—
Tom Dotan,
Vanity Fair,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, its medium-range drones have also disrupted Russia’s supply lines to the front, and its long-range strikes have increasingly damaged Russian oil facilities that provide vital revenue for the Kremlin’s war effort.—
Illia Novikov,
Los Angeles Times,
23 June 2026
-
Record heat has disrupted schools and transportation networks and forced some tourist attractions, including the Eiffel Tower, to close.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
23 June 2026
Adjective
-
By building circuits whose states naturally fluctuate with this environmental heat, thermodynamic computing turns an otherwise stochastic and chaotic feature of nature into an incredibly fast, ultra-low-energy calculator.—
Rob Toews,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2026
-
The combat that follows is intimate, chaotic, and bloody.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
As the players headed to their benches and the officials took their customary walks to the scorer’s table for the time out, Atkinson scrunched his face, stuck out his hands, and mockingly clapped toward Blair — who ignored the obvious taunt.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
Louis' scrunched up face got an affectionate giggle out of his dad as the two sat side-by-side at the 80th anniversary of VE Day in 2025.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Use ripe, juicy peaches that have a little give and are slightly wrinkled around the stem.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
-
One Amazon shopper, who wore them on both a flight and a road trip, raved that the pants never wrinkled, which is especially valuable when living out of a suitcase.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
It's called cognitive empathy, not to be confused with emotional empathy.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
-
So The Listeners — not to be confused with 2022’s The Listener starring Tessa Thompson and you in a voice role — is just now reaching the States.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rumpled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rumpled. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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