crumbled; crumbling
ˈkrəm-b(ə-)liŋ 
: to break into small pieces
1
: to fall into small pieces : disintegrate
2
: to break down completely : collapse
marriages crumble
1
: something crumbled : fine debris
2
Synonyms
Examples of crumble in a Sentence
Verb
Crumble the cookies into small bits.
The recipe calls for the herbs to be crumbled.
bones so old they had crumbled to dust
She was extremely depressed after her marriage crumbled.
Recent Examples on the Web
Elizabeth Hansburg, Orange County Register, 9 May 2024
The piano notes symbolize manic depression, seesawing between low and high, as Joel navigates a crumbling relationship and internalizes his conflictions.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 9 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for crumble 
Verb
One road leads to more housing—both market rate and affordable—in the redevelopment of a crumbling shopping plaza into a true mixed use destination imbued with community vision.
—Elizabeth Hansburg, Orange County Register, 9 May 2024
The piano notes symbolize manic depression, seesawing between low and high, as Joel navigates a crumbling relationship and internalizes his conflictions.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 9 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for crumble
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'crumble.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near crumble
Cite this Entry
“Crumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crumble. Accessed 12 May. 2024.
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