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View synonyms for

crumple

[kruhm-puhl]

verb (used with object)

crumpled, crumpling 
  1. to press or crush into irregular folds or into a compact mass; bend out of shape; rumple; wrinkle.

  2. to cause to collapse or give way suddenly.

    That right hook to the midsection crumpled him.



verb (used without object)

crumpled, crumpling 
  1. to contract into wrinkles; shrink; shrivel.

  2. to give way suddenly; collapse.

    The bridge crumpled under the weight of the heavy trucks.

noun

  1. an irregular fold or wrinkle produced by crumpling.

crumple

/ ˈʌə /

verb

  1. to collapse or cause to collapse

    his courage crumpled

  2. to crush or cause to be crushed so as to form wrinkles or creases

  3. (intr) to shrink; shrivel

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a loose crease or wrinkle

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • crumply adjective
  • uncrumpling adjective
  • ˈܳ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of crumple1

1400–50; late Middle English; variant of crimple
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Word History and Origins

Origin of crumple1

C16: from obsolete crump to bend; related to Old High German krimpfan to wrinkle, Old Norse kreppa to contract
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He had no possessions that might offer clues: no phone, no wallet, no tickets or receipts crumpled in his pockets.

From

Sometimes they’d come by in the middle of a snowstorm, plastic bags looped over each arm like ornaments, and you’d feel a little flutter of guilt and gratitude as you tipped in crumpled bills.

From

"Haven't we already imploded?" one party insider said to me recently, their face crumpled in their hands.

From

"There were people lying on the ground, one of them was crumpled over," Mr Rashid said.

From

The roof of one building had crumpled under the force of an explosion.

From

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