Etymology Attested since about 1800. Probably an intensive form of crunch; ultimately derived from the onomatopoeia of a crumpling sound; or perhaps a blend of squeeze + crunch.
1
To crumple and squeeze to make more compact.
He scrunched the paper into a ball and threw it at the whistling girl.
[…] and the scrunching of ashes under our feet I have often observed to be disagreeable to many.1793–1799, Robert Townson, Tracts and Observations in Natural History and Physiology, page 154:
1 more example
Then I put them under my heel, and scrunched them up, every one.1800, Walter Besant, James Rice, With Harp and Crown, page 828:
2
With object "one's face" To contract the muscles of one's face so as to draw their facial features together, out of pain, discomfort, uncertainty, etc.
He scrunched his face at his wife's confounding request.
Etymology Attested since about 1800. Probably an intensive form of crunch; ultimately derived from the onomatopoeia of a crumpling sound; or perhaps a blend of squeeze + crunch.
1
A crunching noise.
The watchers knew already that the door was fastened and looked for the unknown to produce a key. Instead, there was a sudden scrunch of iron, a splintering of wood, and the door swung loosely open.1927, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], Max Carrados Mysteries: