scrunched

past tense of scrunch
1
2
as in crouched
to lie low with the limbs close to the body the climbers scrunched down on the leeward side of a large boulder and waited for the storm to pass

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in scraped
to press or strike against or together so as to make a scraping sound scrunched loose gravel with every footstep

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scrunched 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 Mind you, that was also by design — the west side of the stadium was roped off entirely, so that 50% of capacity was scrunched into one half of the building. Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2026 Further inspection found a Mexican citizen scrunched into a makeshift, dry compartment in the gas tank that February day. Jim Radcliffe, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026 Reduce frizz, add shine, and offer your curls a soft, flexible hold with Bumble and Bumble's Curl Defining Styling Cream, which should be scrunched into wet hair from mid-shaft to ends before air drying or diffusing. Lily Wohlner, Allure, 25 Mar. 2026 James then scrunched his face into a sarcastic, close-eyed smile. Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026 This faux leather style features an elegant, rounded collar and scrunched sleeves that together create a bold, endlessly versatile piece that can be thrown over a dress and knee-high boots for an afternoon brunch, or paired with denim and sneakers for a day of exploring. Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026 Dries Van Noten wrapped a denim trench coat in a colorful, tapestry-like belts, scrunched baggy jeans into shin-grazing boots and added a bomber-style collar to a denim blazer. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrunched
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
  • Peters crouched down and used a little body language to try to coax the ball fair.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026
  • Brandon Wolf crouched in the corner of the nightclub bathroom for what felt like forever as gunshots rang out.
    Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • Most of the site has been cleaned and scraped, while the work at a nearby synagogue that suffered severe damage is just beginning.
    Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 18 June 2026
  • Compliance and Ethics in Online Reputation Management Reputable ORM companies should avoid fake reviews, astroturfing, bot engagement, scraped-data tactics, and takedowns that may violate platform rules or the law.
    Jason Phillips, USA Today, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Seated near the senators, a woman in a crisp white uniform appears to listen in, her hands folded neatly in her lap.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 25 June 2026
  • Plus, the wide waistband can be folded to fit shorter frames.
    Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Her entire family gathered in her mother’s home, huddled around the television, the 72-year-old Bronzeville resident said.
    Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
  • It is supposed to be a great beach party with a bonfire, but it gets rained out, and they are all huddled under an awning wearing too much body glitter and eating from a greige buffet.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • Both of these teams are elite and gritted through losses in the College World Series to get to these finals.
    Chris Branch, New York Times, 3 June 2026
  • Govel even gritted through a nasty stinger on a comebacker in the bottom of the fourth.
    Jack Vita, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
Verb
  • My skin looked dry and wrinkled.
    Sarah Miller, New Yorker, 20 June 2026
  • Use ripe, juicy peaches that have a little give and are slightly wrinkled around the stem.
    Patricia S York, Southern Living, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • Schwarber was scratched minutes before Tuesday's game with lower back tightness.
    Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 24 June 2026
  • There’s the obvious joy of indulging in French cuisine at every craving’s whim, from world-class pastries to bistro classics, but for Architectural Digest’s global director of audience development, Pujah Shah, that just scratched the surface of the many in-destination babymoon perks.
    Lara Kramer, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Scrunched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrunched. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

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