scrunched

Definition of scrunchednext
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
  • 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
  • Nearby, a different video shows her pink jacket crumpled on the sidewalk and a green purse.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • Will Smith crouched, his left knee on the ground and his mitt grazing the dirt as his Team USA teammate, Mason Miller, strode towards the plate.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
  • Sam discovers the thing crouched over his new friend’s lifeless body, seemingly feeding off him.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 26 May 2026
Verb
  • How humans write, speak, code and compose was easily scraped off the internet, but the bots need more information to master how to stand, step, lift, squeeze, pour and perform other physical movements.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
  • Text, images, and videos could be easily scraped from the internet at an industrial scale.
    Robert Hart, The Verge, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • More than 40 teams have folded since 2021.
    Reagan Yip, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
  • Nevertheless, Fort Lauderdale still saw an overall capacity reduction after Spirit folded.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • After more than a week huddled together in darkness, the five men trapped in a Laos cave received a message of hope when they were discovered by rescuers on Wednesday.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
  • The Game was meant to kick off at noon under a slate-gray sky, with a few snowflakes in the air and fans huddled up in the stands.
    Austin Meek, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • Govel even gritted through a nasty stinger on a comebacker in the bottom of the fourth.
    Jack Vita, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
  • Govel even gritted through a nasty stinger on a comebacker in the bottom of the fourth inning.
    Jack Vita, Oc Register, 23 May 2026
Verb
  • Yellow light like tissue paper wrinkled across disposable foil pans.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
  • If the cucumbers are starting to turn yellow, have wrinkled skin, or have become misshapen, they've usually been left on the vine too long.
    Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 2 June 2026
Verb
  • Even though Neto played on Sunday and was in the lineup on Monday afternoon, he was scratched shortly before the game.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
  • The Royals also caught a break, avoiding young Reds ace Chase Burns, who was scratched due to illness.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 2 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Scrunched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scrunched. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

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