SCRUNCHED Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

scrunched

verb

past tense of scrunch

as in crumpled

to create (as by crushing) an irregular mass of creases in scrunched up the shirt and tossed it in the laundry

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in scraped

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

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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
MacKinnon initially crumpled to the ice in pain after blocking the shot, briefly getting to one knee and clearing the puck out of the defensive zone before falling back to the ice.

— Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 25 May 2026