crumple

American  

[kruhm-puhl] / ˈkrʌm pəl /

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.

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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 British  

/ ˈkrʌmpəl /

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

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noun

1. a loose crease or wrinkle

Other Word Forms

• crumply adjective
• uncrumpling adjective

Etymology

Origin of crumple

1400–50; late Middle English; variant of crimple

Example Sentences

Aussie guitar duo Royel Otis show up to our interview looking artfully crumpled, beers in hand - but all is not quite what it seems.

From BBC

She’s looking right at me and has the paper from a straw crumpled up and hanging from one nostril.

From Literature

“I am too late!” he said, and crumpled to the ground.

From Literature

Then he crumpled, his toga flapping dramatically on the way down.

From Literature

Instead, his gaze drifted over Michael’s shoulder and landed on Jamar Prince, who was walking toward them holding three Butterfingers and a crumpled receipt.

From Literature

Related Words

• break down
• buckle
• crush
• scrunch