crinkle 1 of 2

noun

Definition of crinklenext
as in furrow
a small fold in a soft and otherwise smooth surface little crinkles at the corners of his mouth showed whenever he smiled

Synonyms & Similar Words

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crinkle

2 of 2

verb

ˈkriŋ-kəl How to pronounce crinkle (audio)
1
as in to rustle
to make small sounds usually by rubbing or moving a paper seat cover that crinkles with every move

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to crumple
to create (as by crushing) an irregular mass of creases in crinkled the candy wrapper up and threw it away

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to wrinkle
to develop creases or folds her forehead crinkled in consternation when her guests failed to arrive on time

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 crinkle
Noun
Bake until edges of cookies are set and tops crinkle, 10 to 12 minutes. — Emily Paster, Midwest Living, 15 Aug. 2026 Even toddlers can press a plastic knife or a crinkle cutter through a banana. — Michelle Crouch, Parents, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
Similar in appearance to savoy spinach, but semi-savoy is moderately crinkled and easier to handle, says Kasper. — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 29 Apr. 2026 Here, the creative studio pitches concepts like jeans with cutoff waistbands, crinkled barely-there washes, repairs and rounded patchwork and super flare silhouettes that mimic ’70s DIY fits. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crinkle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crinkle
  1. furrow
  2. rustle
  3. crumple
  4. wrinkle
  5. crease
  6. crackle
  7. scrunch
  8. squeak
Noun
  • Their furrows reminded me of Rembrandt’s paintings of old men, brows carved deep by hard use and long years.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The underwater drone, tethered to the ship with cables and about the size of a small car, was just above the ocean floor as the researchers and pilots searched for furrows potentially left by whales.
    — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of furrow
Verb
  • That 7dBA output is practically inaudible—quieter than rustling leaves (around 20dBA) and well below the 25dBA to 30dBA ambient floor of a quiet library or nighttime bedroom.
    — Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The brief social media clip features Gizmo rustling around inside a backpack in an indiscernible location.
    — Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of rustle
Verb
  • The silver vehicle lay upside down in the Uncompahgre River, crumpled like an aluminum can.
    — Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
  • At the beginning of a normal Friday practice in Week 11, Bowman crumpled to the grass at the Falcons’ practice facility.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of crumple
Verb
  • Synthetic suede was used on the pink toe tip in 2011, but the shoe now features the real thing in order to avoid wrinkling and folding.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Softer interpretations of the trench were ruched, pouffed and purposefully wrinkled.
    — Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of wrinkle
Noun
  • As the Carolina Hurricanes’ Sebastian Aho slipped past the Florida Panthers defense for a breakaway, the Florida Panthers’ new goaltender set up in his crease.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
  • In the red zone, the Chiefs forced third-and-9, but the Dolphins’ blocking created a crease for backup running back Ollie Gordon, who gained 11 yards before scoring on the next play.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of crease
Verb
  • Salt & Stone Santal & Vetiver Candle Salt & Stone’s best-selling santal and vetiver scent brings the aroma of a crackling bonfire, minus the excessive smoke inhalation.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The sets have too many doors, the scenes have a delirious number of extras and the actors yell their lines over the distracting clatter of crackling fireplaces, beeping machines and ticking clocks.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of crackle
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
  • Against the sounds of traffic, the groups hear pigeon mating sounds and babies squeaking for food.
    — KYLE MELNICK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Podcasts editor Drew Broussard squeaks in under the wire to return this crew to form.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of squeak

Browse Nearby Words

cringing (at)
crinkle
crinkled
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Cite this Entry

“Crinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crinkle. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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