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

Relevance

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
Hands close around the Spalding, crinkle-fold the cereal bag. — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026 For evening, lean into edge with The Frankie Shop’s faux-leather capris—just add polished almond-toe pumps, a crinkle tank from Toteme, and a Bottega Veneta bag for a refined after-hours look. — Laura Jackson, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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 Remove the sheet pan from the oven, then drop it twice on a heatproof counter or other surface to deflate and crinkle the cookies. — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 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
  • In fossils, tooth marks often look like punctures or furrows.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 15 July 2026
  • In furrows of pain, The good now germinates.
    — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2026
Definition of furrow
Verb
  • And the only hint of rain comes from the sound of wind rustling cactus spines, trickle trickle trickle.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Some of them, like the one I got stranded on, were full of green rolling hills, tall grasses that rustled in the wind, and wild goats and deer roaming free.
    — Annie Daly, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of rustle
Verb
  • 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
Definition of crumple
Verb
  • The flowy silhouette is impressively breathable and comfortable, and five-star reviewers love that the material doesn’t wrinkle easily.
    — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Unfortunately, linen is well-known for being easily wrinkled, and proper washing is crucial to maintain the integrity of linen.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 27 July 2026
Definition of wrinkle
Noun
  • Setting is important in keeping this area crease-free all day too, so that redness doesn’t peek through.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 15 Aug. 2026
  • That’s the promise of Vuori’s silky-soft performance material, which is designed to naturally shed creases and also offers four-way stretch and moisture-wicking properties.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of crease
Verb
  • Tables and seating are arranged around a crackling fire with torches and ambient lighting surround the venue under the open sky and stars.
    — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Dipping into this cocoon, lit by a crackling fireplace, after meandering through the Christmas market at the Tuileries Gardens across the street is a no-brainer.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of crackle
Verb
  • Using the excess product, scrunch the rest into your hair, which will help maintain definition and hold.
    — Ariana Yaptangco, InStyle, 28 July 2026
  • Pick Ups Toe pick-ups involve picking up small items by scrunching your toes around them.
    — Jennifer Klump, Verywell Health, 17 July 2026
Definition of scrunch
Verb
  • Jansen & Oncins crushed Mixed-1, while Christian and Acevedo squeaked out Mixed-2 12-10 to force a DB.
    — Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Metal frames have a tendency to click and squeak, but reviewers tout this frame’s noise-free build.
    — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 16 July 2026
Definition of squeak

Browse Nearby Words

cringing (at)
crinkle
crinkled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crinkle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crinkle. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on crinkle

Nglish: Translation of crinkle for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of divulge

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All