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
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
25 June 2026
The county spends more every year to grow its workforce while its infrastructure is allowed to crumble.
—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2026
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
24 June 2026
Guano is shiny but crumbles into dust when pressed.
—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for crumble
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Verb
The automotive landscape continues to shift with the road crumbling beneath automakers with constant policy changes with the daily political winds.
—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
25 June 2026
The county spends more every year to grow its workforce while its infrastructure is allowed to crumble.
—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 June 2026
Noun
Stone fruits such as plums, nectarines, apricots, peaches, or cherries are delicious in pies, crumbles, and cobblers.
—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
24 June 2026
Guano is shiny but crumbles into dust when pressed.
—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for crumble
Cite this Entry
“Crumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crumble. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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