as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value
the stock of the energy company crumbled after the revelations of fraud and mismanagement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of crumble
The former 70-year-old plaza, built in 1955, with its stark and austere concrete deck and its 970-space parking garage — one that was literally crumbling and had grown dangerous — has been completely demolished and removed.
—
Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2025
Authoritarian regimes are taking notes on how quickly democracy can crumble when its defenders refuse to fight.
—Christopher Bouzy, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
The training area consists of a sunken city, a hospital and crumbling buildings in …
Op-eds in The Hill
Opinions related to tech submitted to The Hill:
You’re all caught up.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 18 Aug. 2025
Ignoring that second part, Irakli contacts Lisa’s editor and discovers that her as-yet-unfinished assignment is a photo essay on the crumbling football pitches of rural Georgia.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crumble
Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2025
Authoritarian regimes are taking notes on how quickly democracy can crumble when its defenders refuse to fight.
—Christopher Bouzy, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025
The training area consists of a sunken city, a hospital and crumbling buildings in …
Op-eds in The Hill
Opinions related to tech submitted to The Hill:
You’re all caught up.
—Julia Shapero, The Hill, 18 Aug. 2025
Ignoring that second part, Irakli contacts Lisa’s editor and discovers that her as-yet-unfinished assignment is a photo essay on the crumbling football pitches of rural Georgia.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crumble
Verb
-
But after the Sriracha-maker callously withheld payments from Underwood, the relationship deteriorated and litigation followed.—
Kate Vitasek,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
But this week, the situation in Donetsk has rapidly deteriorated, with Russian forces making important advances to the north east of Dobropilia, altering control of the area Witkoff has been discussing with the Kremlin.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The hurricane's outer bands are expected to bring worsening weather conditions to North Carolina's coast by the evening of Aug. 20, the hurricane center said.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
The Enquirer,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Hormonal changes can trigger or worsen mental health conditions, including serious ones like psychosis.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
College campuses across the country descended into chaos this week as false reports of active shooters sparked mass panic, lockdowns and major police responses – only to be revealed as coordinated hoaxes.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
31 Aug. 2025
-
So, why has the red mist descended on Flushing Meadows?—
Jack Bantock,
CNN Money,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
IndyStar reached out to multiple local experts, including the ACLU, to weigh in on the images, but experts declined to comment on this specific case.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
30 Aug. 2025
-
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority declined to comment, citing pending litigation.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumble. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share