(crumples, crumpling, crumpled)
1.
If you crumple something such as paper or cloth, or if it crumples, it is squashed and becomes full of untidy creases and folds.
She crumpled the paper in her hand...
The front and rear of the car will crumple during a collision.
VERB: V n, V
•
Crumple up means the same as
crumple.
She crumpled up her coffee cup...
Nancy looked at the note angrily, then crumpled it up and threw it in a nearby wastepaper basket.
PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P
• crumpled
His uniform was crumpled, untidy, splashed with mud.
ADJ
2.
If someone crumples, they collapse, for example when they have received a shock. (WRITTEN)
His body crumpled...
He immediately crumpled to the floor...
Chance McAllister lay crumpled on the floor.
VERB: V, V prep, V-ed