crumbled; crumbling
ˈkrəm-b(ə-)liŋ 
: to break into small pieces
1
: to fall into small pieces : disintegrate
2
: to break down completely : collapse
marriages crumble
1
: something crumbled : fine debris
2
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
Jonathan H. Westover, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
The Wild, who are crumbling at the seams, fell to 1-4-2 in their past seven thanks to an 0-1-2 road trip.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage, using a spatula to break it into crumbles, until no longer pink (about 5 minutes or so).
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crumble
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Verb
When workers suspect the game is rigged in favor of the boss's nephew or the CEO's daughter, the belief that hard work leads to recognition—the backbone of productive workplaces—begins to crumble.
—Jonathan H. Westover, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
The Wild, who are crumbling at the seams, fell to 1-4-2 in their past seven thanks to an 0-1-2 road trip.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
Another one of her recommendations was an alternative to make cookie crumbles.
—Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage, using a spatula to break it into crumbles, until no longer pink (about 5 minutes or so).
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crumble
Cite this Entry
“Crumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crumble. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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