as in messy
lacking in order, neatness, and often cleanliness
a rumpled room that suited its teenage occupant just fine
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of rumpled
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 16 Mar. 2026
Benedict, all rumpled and goofy, doesn’t understand why Sophie is going back to work.
—Christina Grace Tucker, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
While the ultra-modern, pin-straight iteration may be the first image to come to mind, its more rumpled little sister pairs seamlessly with the natural texture of curls and coils.
—Krista Carter, InStyle, 17 Feb. 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
When our dissatisfaction came adorably clothed in rumpled flannels and baggy jeans?
—Nora Dahlia, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
The man fumbled in his tote, then laid a rumpled shirt, some pants, and a pair of cloth shoes on the foot of the gurney.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
But the aesthetic marked by rumpled Oxford shirts and popped polos has also found fertile ground in France, a nation famously resistant to Americanization.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2025
Multiple parties plead their case to Figgis, who interviews members of the cast and crew behind the scenes, usually with rumpled cloth tacked to the wall behind them.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025
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
Adjective
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
Benedict, all rumpled and goofy, doesn’t understand why Sophie is going back to work.
—Christina Grace Tucker, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
While the ultra-modern, pin-straight iteration may be the first image to come to mind, its more rumpled little sister pairs seamlessly with the natural texture of curls and coils.
—Krista Carter, InStyle, 17 Feb. 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
When our dissatisfaction came adorably clothed in rumpled flannels and baggy jeans?
—Nora Dahlia, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
The man fumbled in his tote, then laid a rumpled shirt, some pants, and a pair of cloth shoes on the foot of the gurney.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
But the aesthetic marked by rumpled Oxford shirts and popped polos has also found fertile ground in France, a nation famously resistant to Americanization.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2025
Multiple parties plead their case to Figgis, who interviews members of the cast and crew behind the scenes, usually with rumpled cloth tacked to the wall behind them.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
-
Beyond the hardware, it’s packed with AI features like Circle to Search for instant lookups and Handwriting Assist to tidy up your messy notes, all backed by a 20-hour battery that lasts well beyond the standard workday.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Things with Turner got messy quickly with custody issues rearing their head, but seemed to have settled down now.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
First responders found Jenkins crumpled in the roadway, suffering from massive injuries across his body.—
Sheetal Banchariya,
New York Daily News,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Spread the bedding out as much as possible in the machine so it’s not crumpled or folded.—
Emily Benda Gaylord,
The Spruce,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At 88, the legendary artist, dressed in a black smock, was filmed walking through the eroded sculptural features of the badlands, her face furrowed by age, her eyes still blazing.—
John Burnett,
NPR,
14 Mar. 2026
-
At the bottom of the steps, Junior Sister was dressed just as haphazardly, brow furrowed with concern.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Middle East crisis has severely disrupted oil exports through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, which typically carries about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquified natural gas (LNG) and represents a key choke point for fertilizer trade.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Energy prices are volatile as the Iran conflict has disrupted flows through the Strait of Hormuz.—
Derek Chollet,
semafor.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
However, similarly chaotic conditions have not been replicated at either DFW or Love Field.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Dvornychenko was reunited with two boys almost two years after that chaotic night of her arrest.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
James then scrunched his face into a sarcastic, close-eyed smile.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
-
This faux leather style features an elegant, rounded collar and scrunched sleeves that together create a bold, endlessly versatile piece that can be thrown over a dress and knee-high boots for an afternoon brunch, or paired with denim and sneakers for a day of exploring.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Bad potatoes might be mushy, bruised, wrinkled, moldy, or green.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Minutes stretched into hours as Evelyn focused on ensuring her wedding ring didn't slip off her fingers, now waterlogged and wrinkled.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After the crash, passengers were confused and screaming in panic, Liquori said.—
Elizabeth Chuck,
NBC news,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The verified account, @realanndowd (not to be confused with Bald Ann Dowd), made its first post on March 18 — finally ending the torturous 5,642-day dry spell of there being no Ann Dowd on the app.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rumpled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rumpled. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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