Gave up crossing river and crumpled (7)
I believe the answer is:
creased
'crumpled' is the definition.
('creased' can be a synonym of 'crumpled')
'gave up crossing river' is the wordplay.
'gave up' becomes 'ceased' ('cease' can be a synonym of 'give up').
'crossing' indicates putting letters inside.
'river' becomes 'r'.
'ceased' enclosing 'r' is 'CREASED'.
'and' is the link.
(Other definitions for creased that I've seen before include "Needing to be ironed?" , "Crumpled - red case (anag)" , "Wrinkled, rumpled" , "Folded" , "Needing ironing" .)