crumble

¹crum·ble

verb \ˈkrəm-bəl\

crum·bledcrum·bling \-b(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of CRUMBLE

transitive verb

: to break into small pieces

intransitive verb

1

: to fall into small pieces : disintegrate

2

: to break down completely : collapse <marriages crumble>

Examples of CRUMBLE

1. Crumble the cookies into small bits.
2. The recipe calls for the herbs to be crumbled.
3. bones so old they had crumbled to dust
4. She was extremely depressed after her marriage crumbled.

Origin of CRUMBLE

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

First Known Use: 1547

Related to CRUMBLE

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

ameliorate, improve, meliorate

Related Words

abate, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, recede, wane; break down, corrupt, decompose, degrade, dilapidate, disintegrate, molder, putrefy; sour, spoil; lessen, lower, reduce; debilitate, undermine; droop, fail, fall, flag, lag, languish, run down, sag, slip, waste (away), weaken, wilt

Near Antonyms

better, upgrade; enhance, enrich, fortify, heighten, intensify, strengthen; advance, develop, march, proceed, progress

Rhymes with CRUMBLE

bumble, fumble, grumble, humble, jumble, mumble, rumble, scumble, stumble, tumble, umbel

²crumble

noun

Definition of CRUMBLE

1

: something crumbled : fine debris

2

: crisp 2

First Known Use of CRUMBLE

1860

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel