1
as in scrunches
to create (as by crushing) an irregular mass of creases in
crumpled the piece of paper and angrily threw it in the wastebasket
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in collapses
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
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Recent Examples of crumples
My now-husband and I were newly a couple and still working out the kinks and crumples in an evolving relationship.
—
Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
The man crumples to the ground while the officer turns to walk away as the other officers stand by.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 11 Oct. 2025
Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Jan. 2026
The man crumples to the ground while the officer turns to walk away as the other officers stand by.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 11 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crumples
Verb
-
Four exercises, including the toe scrunches, to help improve balance.—
Lindsey Leake,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The clear formula is lightweight but substantial enough to create a cast that scrunches out softly, leaving hair touchable instead of stiff.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As the video demonstrates, von Ensingen’s drawing (not in the show, alas) collapses all the levels, complete with stairs, setbacks, vaults, and columns, onto a single plane.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
23 Apr. 2026
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For Tottenham, what once felt unthinkable is fast becoming one of the most remarkable collapses the 34-year Premier League era has seen.—
Dean Jones,
New York Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The cushions are bouncy and covered in a fade-resistant material, and when not in use, the chair folds to save space.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The folding lock design, such as the Kryptonite Kryptolok Folding Bicycle Lock, folds down to a small size for transport.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The flagellar bundle falls apart, and the cell tumbles.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
20 Apr. 2026
-
This setting uses more water and tumbles linens gently to keep them from getting twisted.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Since the material never wrinkles, the pants are the ideal pick for wearing on long travel days or packing in your suitcase.—
Rachel Trujillo,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Apr. 2026
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There are still some lingering discrepancies, wrinkles that the team thinks other collisions between particles with sizes between protons and iron could help to iron out.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crumples.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumples. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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