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
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Recent Examples of crumble
This story is told by an unnamed narrator, an irreligious woman who has joined the nuns as a lay resident after her faith in environmental advocacy crumbled.
—
Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
Dozens of cars have been trapped in a parking garage since the concrete crumbled on Monday afternoon.
—CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
After one crumbling alien civilization captures this signal and plans to invade Earth, humanity divides into those who will welcome the new beings and those who plan to fight against them.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
His stance as the ER’s conscience is crumbling.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crumble
Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
Dozens of cars have been trapped in a parking garage since the concrete crumbled on Monday afternoon.
—CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
After one crumbling alien civilization captures this signal and plans to invade Earth, humanity divides into those who will welcome the new beings and those who plan to fight against them.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
His stance as the ER’s conscience is crumbling.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crumble
Verb
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Last week, Narges was finally allowed a brief visit with her sister and two lawyers, who were alarmed at how rapidly her health had deteriorated.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
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And a once modern grid which has deteriorated to developing world standards with widespread load-shedding and blackouts.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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World’s fastest mini-sub According to reports, the submersible is able to ascend and descend in the water column at angles up to 45 degrees.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Mar. 2026
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At the same time, an American Airlines flight from Norfolk was descending.—
Sharyn Alfonsi,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Over time this will worsen outcomes for chronic illness and preventative care.—
Dr. Howard A. Selinger,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2026
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The problem is expected to worsen over time without climate change mitigation.—
Devika Rao,
TheWeek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Both declined interview requests.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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The Backstreet Boys member attempted to use the video to press battery charges against Gallagher, but prosecutors declined to do so after seeing the video supported Gallagher's version of events, per the outlet.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumble. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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