rumpling

Disturbing smooth fabric

Rumpling is the act of making something wrinkled, creased, or disheveled.

You might rumple bedsheets by tossing and turning, or rumple someone's hair affectionately.

The word suggests a casual, often accidental disorder rather than deliberate destruction—clothes get rumpled in a suitcase, papers get rumpled when shoved into a bag.

She couldn't help rumpling his perfectly combed hair.

affectionate

tousling

Disordering hair playfully

mussingMaking disorderly
strokingRubbing softly, repeatedly
rufflingDisrupting a smooth surface

fondling · caressing · patting · playful · teasing · gentle · loving · endearing

disheveled

tousled

Disordered, especially hair

mussedMade untidy
unkemptUntidy in appearance
untidyLacking neatness or order

messy · bedraggled · scruffy · sloppy · disordered · disarranged · tangled · windswept · uncombed · raggedy

wrinkling

creasing

Creating fold marks

crinklingMaking small creased sounds
puckeringContracting into small folds
furrowingCutting narrow trenches

folding · scrunching · gathering · pleating · ruffling · bunching · compressing · crushing · squashing · wadding

fabric

linen

Flax-derived textile

cottonPlant fiber for textiles
silkFine woven insect fiber
sheetsFlat expanses of material

bedding · clothing · tablecloth · curtains · drapery · garments · shirts · blouses · dresses · napkins

casual

relaxed

Free of stress

informalRelaxed, not official
lived-inComfortably used, not sterile
unpressedNot smoothed by heat

unironed · slouchy · comfortable · effortless · unfussy · unstudied · natural · easygoing · careless · nonchalant

rumpling

tousling

tousled

creasing

linen

relaxed

rumpling

Opposites

Categories

Family