Crumple - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
To crumple means to crush or press something, like paper or fabric, into irregular folds or wrinkles, often making it lose its original shape. It can also describe a sudden collapse, as in he crumpled to the ground.
Definition:
To crush or press something into folds or wrinkles, often making it lose its shape.
Synonyms:
crush, wrinkle, rumple, crease
Part of Speech:
verb, noun
Antonyms:
smooth, flatten
Common Collocations:
crumple paper, crumple clothes, crumple under pressure
Derivatives:
crumpled, crumpling
Usage Tips:
Use "crumple" for objects like paper or fabric that lose shape when pressed; avoid for rigid items like metal unless bending is implied.
Common Phrases:
crumple zone (in cars), crumple under pressure
Etymology:
From Middle English "crumplen," likely of Germanic origin, related to "crump" (crooked).
Examples:
- 1. She crumpled the letter and threw it away.
- 2. The dress will crumple if you pack it carelessly.
- 3. He felt his confidence crumple during the speech.
- 4. The car's front end crumpled in the crash.