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 of crumble

Verb

• deteriorate
• descend
• worsen
• decline

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

All of the big talk about personal drive, which makes Free Solo so darkly compelling, immediately crumbles into selfish pablum the second that children are introduced into the equation. — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026

Wednesday’s ugly loss, in which Yoshinobu Yamamoto faltered after a strong start and the Dodgers crumbled late despite taking a 3-0 first-inning lead, was the latest example. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Noun

If the foundation isn’t great, the rest of the house is simply a crumble. — Madeline Hirsch, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026

The Spot At The Spot in Las Vegas, a double patty, house bacon, lettuce, tomato, blue cheese crumbles on a brioche bun. — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for crumble

• bumble
• fumble
• grumble
• humble
• jumble
• mumble
• rumble
• stumble
• tumble
• umbel

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