as in messy
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
a rumpled room that suited its teenage occupant just fine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of rumpled
Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 12 Mar. 2026
Benedict, all rumpled and goofy, doesn’t understand why Sophie is going back to work.
—Christina Grace Tucker, Vulture, 26 Feb. 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
The man fumbled in his tote, then laid a rumpled shirt, some pants, and a pair of cloth shoes on the foot of the gurney.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
But the aesthetic marked by rumpled Oxford shirts and popped polos has also found fertile ground in France, a nation famously resistant to Americanization.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2025
Multiple parties plead their case to Figgis, who interviews members of the cast and crew behind the scenes, usually with rumpled cloth tacked to the wall behind them.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025
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
Linen, for example, can further enhance this layered approach, introducing a softly rumpled texture that reinforces lived-in comfort in the form of a duvet cover or throw blanket at the foot of the bed.
—Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 12 Mar. 2026
Benedict, all rumpled and goofy, doesn’t understand why Sophie is going back to work.
—Christina Grace Tucker, Vulture, 26 Feb. 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
The man fumbled in his tote, then laid a rumpled shirt, some pants, and a pair of cloth shoes on the foot of the gurney.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
But the aesthetic marked by rumpled Oxford shirts and popped polos has also found fertile ground in France, a nation famously resistant to Americanization.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2025
Multiple parties plead their case to Figgis, who interviews members of the cast and crew behind the scenes, usually with rumpled cloth tacked to the wall behind them.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
-
The people in it are depicted as messy, earnest, and trying their best.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Mar. 2026
-
And finally, take really messy or stinky items straight to the outdoor trash can.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
One woman crumpled into the arms of her fellow protesters.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Pictures posted by the South Metro Fire Rescue show the Jeep crumpled between the semitrailer and the building, with extensive damage to the gas station.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At the bottom of the steps, Junior Sister was dressed just as haphazardly, brow furrowed with concern.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
15 Feb. 2026
-
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
-
The conflict has disrupted energy production in the Middle East and led to a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route.—
Chloe Taylor,Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The conflict has also disrupted airspace across parts of the Middle East, forcing airlines to reroute flights, particularly between Europe and Asia, along longer routes that burn more fuel and keep aircraft in the air for longer.—
Scott Campbell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The attack unfolded in a chaotic scene Lang’s sparsely attended protest Saturday drew a far larger group of counterdemonstrators.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The scene had grown chaotic even before the devices were thrown.—
Jake Offenhartz,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Late in the third quarter, Buzelis turned away from the basket and scrunched up his face in a grimace of disgust.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Bad potatoes might be mushy, bruised, wrinkled, moldy, or green.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Minutes stretched into hours as Evelyn focused on ensuring her wedding ring didn't slip off her fingers, now waterlogged and wrinkled.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Carlson clearly got confused between the arsonist and the fire brigade.—
Calev Myers,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
They are confused by all the activity.—
Via Chronicle Books,
Literary Hub,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rumpled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rumpled. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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