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

Relevance

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

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

Inflation is part of the show, as across the valley floor, enormous envelopes lie crumpled in fields before fans slowly give them shape—then the burners start, sending pulses of orange through the fabric.

— Scott Campbell, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
According to National Geographic, as the Arabian plate began to move further under the Eurasian plate, the two plates crumpled together, creating the Zagros Mountains — an impressive stretch of peaks that still exist in Iran.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of crumpled

Verb

As Kimbrel got set to face Marlins first baseman Kyle Stowers, the right-hander crouched near the mound as liquid spewed from his mouth before the broadcast camera cut away.

— Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Like ballplayers just before the pitch, animal control crouched into position, with thick metal grabbers, nooses, and nets at the ready.

— Zachary Przystup, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of crouched

Verb

For months, layer after layer of paint and grime were scraped away from the original wood and brick to reveal traces of different eras in the building's history.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026
The letter calls for the museum to release the full list of artworks scraped for the Beeple piece.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of scraped

Verb

Raj’s time with the circuit was cut short; the domestic teams ultimately folded as the league transformed into NFL Europe, but by then, the kids had caught the bug.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026
The museum could clip the tapestry to a rail, then feed it into the paravent inch by inch; when the whole thing was transferred, the huge zigzag could be folded up—with the tapestry secured between layers of padding—then turned on its side.

— John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of folded

Verb

Co-stars Sofia Boutella, Bill Pullman and Daniel Zovatto also huddled warmly with the director.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026
Thirty minutes before the preseason finale, and before leaving the field from pregame warmups for the final time as a 19-man band, the Falcons’ defensive backs huddled and brought their fists together on the Hard Rock Stadium sideline.

— Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of huddled

Verb

Crafted from quality linen, the dress has earned praise from shoppers for its high-quality fabric that’s easy to wash and doesn’t look overly wrinkled.

— Jacquelyn McGilvray, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
Unfortunately, linen is well-known for being easily wrinkled, and proper washing is crucial to maintain the integrity of linen.

— Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 27 July 2026

Definition of wrinkled

Browse Nearby Words

scrunch

scrunched

scrunches

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Scrunched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrunched. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of scrunched

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

stigma

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes