RUMPLED Synonyms: 197 Similar and Opposite Words

rumpled 1 of 2

adjective

as in messy

lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness a rumpled room that suited its teenage occupant just fine

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rumpled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of rumple

as in crumpled

to create (as by crushing) an irregular mass of creases in the guest rumpled the antique bedspread by lying down on it

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in furrowed

to develop creases or folds the linen skirt rumpled as soon as she started wearing it

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as in disrupted

to undo the proper order or arrangement of the aunt would invariably rumple the little boy's hair whenever she came to visit

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of rumpled

Adjective

As a prime example of grunge-girl hair, era icon Alexa Chung has perfected the balance between rumpled and refined. — Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 9 Aug. 2026 After the meeting, fire officials welcome questions one-on-one in front of large maps of the region, overlaid by the rumpled edges of the fire. — Sarah Matusek, Christian Science Monitor, 7 July 2026 Years of unpacking creased, rumpled clothing and settling on a lesser-cute backup outfit have taught me to prioritize building my travel wardrobe around wrinkle-free pieces. — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2026 Erika’s brother, Klaus (August Diehl), sits naked by a rumpled bed with last night’s conquest still muddled up with his sheets, talking on the phone to his sister. — Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 14 May 2026 Because this is a Jean-Luc Godard film, only Lemmy Caution (Eddie Constantine), a rumpled American private eye who seems to have stepped straight out of one of the classic Hollywood noirs Godard loved. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026 Vanessa Bonet of the installation art group Dedo Vabo watched over a mission-control monitor deck, as the buzzing craft climbed into room full of braying hippos in rumpled suits. — Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026 Both the oak and walnut speak to traditional Japandi styles, and both would look particularly handsome with a rumpled, fluffy set of TEKLA sheets to polish off the cozy look. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 16 Mar. 2026 Several of the most striking photographs in the book are of the studio itself, which appears empty except for a pair of high heels reflected in a wall of mirrors or a rumpled military blanket, a favorite backdrop, pinned to a bare wall. — Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2025

Verb

Edward Juvier is raspy and rumpled as the imperious theater producer Bela Zangler. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026 The silver hide rumpled and stretched over the massive body. — Anton Money, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026 When his teams didn’t entertain, Moe became the show, this cursing, grumbling, rumpled 6-foot-5 firebrand who dressed like a ’70s private detective, a disheveled anti-hero who detested suits. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 18 Feb. 2026 He was rumpled in the summer heat and wearing a collarless white shirt. — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rumpled

Adjective

Where there might be a nugget of truth (water-holding, adhesion, seed spacing), there are simpler, proven, and less messy alternatives.

— Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026
The game commenced with four unanswered scores from Jenks and sloppy play from Southlake Carroll that included a handful of early penalties, messy substitutions and a lack of rhythm.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of messy

Verb

According to National Geographic, as the Arabian plate began to move further under the Eurasian plate, the two plates crumpled together, creating the Zagros Mountains — an impressive stretch of peaks that still exist in Iran.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
The 23-year-old crumpled to the ground, clutching his left hand before walking off with trainers.

— Alejandro Avila, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of crumpled

Verb

Efforts to bring the outbreak under control — from limited public gatherings to social distancing and airport closures — have disrupted life in the six affected provinces, particularly Ituri, which has been ravaged by rebel violence.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
The choices of what to put in each episode — and when to cut from one timeline to another — have sometimes felt arbitrary, and have often disrupted the story’s overall flow.

— Noel Murray, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of disrupted

Verb

As the players headed to their benches and the officials took their customary walks to the scorer’s table for the time out, Atkinson scrunched his face, stuck out his hands, and mockingly clapped toward Blair — who ignored the obvious taunt.

— Joe Vardon, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Louis' scrunched up face got an affectionate giggle out of his dad as the two sat side-by-side at the 80th anniversary of VE Day in 2025.

— Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026

Definition of scrunched

Verb

Unfortunately, linen is well-known for being easily wrinkled, and proper washing is crucial to maintain the integrity of linen.

— Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 27 July 2026
There’s arguably nothing more annoying than rushing out the door to an event, only to realize your dress is wrinkled and needs to be steamed.

— Ali Faccenda, InStyle, 23 July 2026

Definition of wrinkled

Verb

Cirque Dreams, which also offers several other touring shows, used to be regularly confused with Cirque du Soleil strictly because of the similarity of their names.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026
Earlier, on direct examination, Heilbrun said it may be confused with psychosis.

— Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of confused

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“Rumpled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rumpled. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of rumpled

adjective

verb

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