Scrunched

The past tense and past participle of the verb 'scrunch', meaning to squeeze or compress something into a smaller space, often with a crumpling or crushing effect. It describes the action of making something compact, wrinkled, or distorted, typically by applying pressure. This can apply to physical objects, facial expressions, or even the figurative squeezing of time or resources. The result of being scrunched suggests a loss of original shape or form, implying a reduction in size and a possible increase in density.

Scrunched meaning with examples

• After the accident, the car's front end was completely scrunched, metal twisted and mangled beyond recognition. The impact had compressed the vehicle's frame, leaving barely any space for the engine.
• Worried, she scrunched her nose in disapproval at the messy art project. The resulting furrowed brow and tightly closed eyes showed her displeasure at the smeared colors.
• He scrunched up the discarded letter in his hand, letting out a frustrated sigh. Its contents were now compacted into a small ball, reflecting his intense dissatisfaction.
• Finding a seat on the crowded bus was challenging; the passengers scrunched up to create space. The people were all compressed so tightly that they were touching each other awkwardly.
• The photographer, looking for more creative shots, asked the model to scrunch her shoulders inward. Her scrunched pose, though slightly uncomfortable, perfectly enhanced the desired look.