crumble

1 of 2

verb

crum·​ble ˈkrəm-bəl 

crumbled; crumbling ˈkrəm-b(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

: to break into small pieces

intransitive verb

1

: to fall into small pieces : disintegrate

2

: to break down completely : collapse

marriages crumble

crumble

2 of 2

noun

1

: something crumbled : fine debris

2

: crisp sense 2

Synonyms

Verb

• atrophy
• decay
• decline
• degenerate
• descend
• deteriorate
• devolve
• ebb
• regress
• retrograde
• rot
• sink
• worsen

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

Verb

With the help of mystical disciples, Joan hijacks a charity event and takes three hostages: a crumbling movie star, played by Evans; wealthy elite Bracken, played by Vincent Cassel (Black Swan); and a woman named Katie, played by Ambika Mod (One Day). —Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024

Nudge theory With the problem of crumbling and overcrowded prisons growing, judges may be given the powers to hand down sentences that force offenders to stay at home, while being monitored by electronic tags. —Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week Uk, theweek, 31 Oct. 2024

Noun

And when the reward doesn’t feel worth the struggle—or when things get hard—motivation crumbles. —Akin Akinpelu, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

As her face crumbles at the news, the scene cuts to Grace, as the camera slowly zooms in. —Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

alteration of Middle English kremelen, frequentative of Old English gecrymian to crumble, from cruma

First Known Use

Verb

1547, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1860, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

crumble

verb

crum·​ble

ˈkrəm-bəl

crumbled; crumbling

-b(ə-)liŋ

1

: to break into small pieces

crumble bread

2

: to fall into ruin

relationships crumble