CRINKLING Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

crinkling

verb

present participle of crinkle

as in rustling

to make small sounds usually by rubbing or moving a paper seat cover that crinkles with every move

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in crumpling

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

as in wrinkling

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 crinkling Quince’s vacation shop has an entire lineup of summer styles in cotton gauze, modal, and tencel, all light enough to keep you comfortable on the hottest days — and structured to maintain their shape without crinkling up in your luggage. — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crinkling

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 rustling

Verb

But Mulderrig’s red Harley-Davidson Sportster slammed into the rear passenger side of Oates’ Cadillac, crumpling the back corner and twisting the wheel out of shape.

— Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Euphoric players cavorting in disbelief, long-suffering fans crumpling to their knees in tears, commentators’ voices cracking at the drama of it all.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 27 July 2026

Definition of crumpling

Verb

The symptom that alarmed me most in that moment was the progressive skin wrinkling in some NCBRS teens.

— Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of wrinkling

Verb

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
Imagine staring up at the stars through a skylight, a mug of chamomile in hand and a fire crackling in the wood stove.

— Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of crackling

Verb

The formula is designed to deliver up to 16 hours of wear without primer and is resistant to creasing, caking, fading and smudging.

— Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026
Samsung has unveiled a new flexible display technology for foldable phones that’s designed to be slimmer, more durable, and less prone to creasing.

— Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 15 July 2026

Definition of creasing

Verb

Social media companies are hesitant to allow promotion on their platforms, and Hollywood is whispering that the tech mogul’s power might keep the public from opportunities to see the film.

— Joel Mathis, TheWeek, 29 Sep. 2026
Eventually, my mother comes downstairs again and puts her arms around him and holds him, whispering something to him, words that to me are meaningless and incomprehensible.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of whispering

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
The Rams have not lost to a Florida team and kept that streak alive by squeaking past Plant by scores of 30-28 and 25-22 in the final.

— Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of squeaking

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crinkles

crinkling

cripple

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Style

“Crinkling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crinkling. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of crinkling

verb

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