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 James then scrunched his face into a sarcastic, close-eyed smile. Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 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 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 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 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 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scrunched
Verb
  • By all accounts, DC Studios’ Supergirl crumpled beneath the red sun of paltry box-office returns, taking in just $38 million domestically over its opening weekend.
    Chris Lee, Vulture, 29 June 2026
  • Nothing’s more frustrating than opening your suitcase to find your cutest tops looking like they’ve been crumpled into paper balls.
    Kenedee Fowler, Southern Living, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • After getting broken to fall behind 2-4 in the third, Djokovic attempted to knock a ball back to the ball boy, who was crouched beside the umpire’s chair.
    Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
  • The image in question features Grande crouched on the ground while sucking a lollipop and loving a happy black dog.
    Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • As the scribes’ pens scraped the parchment, the words became inscribed upon their soul.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
  • When a user asked boat-botany why New Reddit isn’t scraped as often as Old Reddit, the Reddit employee pointed to a comment by another user.
    Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • The day could be sliced into identical pieces, the body trained to answer the bell, and the worker folded into a machine that only made sense when every human motion had been made useful to someone else.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Fire shelters weigh around 6 pounds and are folded up inside several protective layers in a firefighter’s pack.
    Jack Dura, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Inside at Revel Lounge, half the après crowd sips cocktails in robes and slippers while the other half have logged back on with work and are huddled away in the bar’s many discreet nooks and corners.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
  • My high-octane mutt was leaping around the patio table and barking excitedly while my neighbors huddled together over their steaks.
    Deborah Mower, The Conversation, 2 July 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
  • The Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department advised anyone bitten or scratched by a bat or other wild animal to promptly clean the wound with soap and water, then contact a physician or go to the emergency room.
    Kelli Arseneau, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Casey Schmitt was scratched from Sunday’s starting lineup due to an illness, but entered the game for the ailing Adames.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 30 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Scrunched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrunched. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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