crumple

verb

ˈkrəm-pəl How to pronounce crumple (audio)
Definition of crumplenext
1
as in to scrunch
to create (as by crushing) an irregular mass of creases in crumpled the piece of paper and angrily threw it in the wastebasket

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to collapse
to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure the box crumpled when I accidentally dropped a brick on it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 crumple 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 This means using quick, decisive movements to crumple the paper into the jar and seal it. — Emma Jacobson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Aug. 2026 Tear off a sheet of aluminum foil and crumple it into a ball. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for crumple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crumple
  1. scrunch
  2. collapse
  3. fold
  4. tumble
  5. wrinkle
Verb
  • Sitting at the defendant’s table, Flynn scrunched up his face and appeared to be crying as the 911 call was played aloud.
    — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Sheer tees scrunched and stretched in awkward ways at Brandon Maxwell.
    — Alison Syrett Cleary, InStyle, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of scrunch
Verb
  • Flames engulfed the 19th-century City Hall in the city of Limoges, in central France, causing its roof to collapse and nearly destroying the building.
    — SYLVIE CORBET, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The students who stepped forward when their teacher collapsed playing basketball in Michigan illustrate what becomes possible when CPR skills are taught before they are needed.
    — Meng Yang, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of collapse
Verb
  • Adrien Michel, winner of the 2025 le19M Métiers d’Art Prize, introduced a capsule inspired by Marcel Breuer’s Cesca B34 chair, anchored by a shirt that folds out of a leather case made with Studio MTX.
    — Tina Isaac-Goizé, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Robots learn from experiments A separate Google project tested whether agents could improve DNA aptamers, short molecules that fold into shapes capable of attaching to specific proteins.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of fold
Verb
  • The tech-heavy index posted its worst decline since July on Wednesday, as shares of companies involved in the AI buildout, including chipmakers, tumbled.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
  • This week's losses have placed the S&P 500 and Nasdaq in negative territory week to date, as the former has fallen nearly 1% in the period, while the latter has tumbled more than 2%.
    — Justina Lee,Sean Conlon, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of tumble
Verb
  • All items arrived clean (professional cleaning is included in your BNTO box subscription) and showed no wear and tear, though they were wrinkled from shipping and needed a good steam before wearing.
    — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The same men worked in the lobby—a little fatter, a little more wrinkled and gray.
    — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of wrinkle

Browse Nearby Words

crumping
crumple
crumpled
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Cite this Entry

“Crumple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumple. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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