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

/ 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

noun

1. a loose crease or wrinkle

Other Word Forms

• crumply adjective
• uncrumpling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of crumple¹

1400–50; late Middle English; variant of crimple

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

Example Sentences

There was the emerald ring, with the tissue paper carelessly crumpled around it!

Read more on Literature

She crumpled her pretend invitation to Simon and put a fresh sheet of paper on the blotter.

Read more on 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.

Read more on Literature

There are crumpled signs for hospital departments strewn on the ground and medical records drying on a tarpaulin between the admin offices.

Read more on BBC

Buildings in Whitehouse were destroyed or crumpled, with corrugated roofs strewn across the ground.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• break down 
• buckle 
• crush 
• scrunch