What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
crumple
Example
She crumpled the piece of paper and threw it in the trash. [crumpled: past tense]
Example
The car crumpled upon impact with the wall. [crumpled: past participle]
squash
Example
He accidentally sat on the cake and squashed it. [squashed: past tense]
Example
The crowd squashed together to make room for more people. [squashed: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Squash is more commonly used than crumple in everyday language. Squash is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while crumple is less common and refers to a specific action of crushing paper or fabric.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between crumple and squash?
While crumple is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, squash is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.