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
Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
But as the deadly spectacle unfolds, that dream begins to crumble.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2026
Nancy Vienneau, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2026
So as the secure and stable image Dubai spent so long cultivating crumbles, is a mass exodus imminent?
—Tamara Hardingham-Gill, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crumble
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Verb
New Chicago town manager Sue Pelfrey launched the project because its 100-year-old town hall sustained several roof leaks and its masonry was crumbling.
—Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
But as the deadly spectacle unfolds, that dream begins to crumble.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
Sprinkle with remaining bacon pieces, diced eggs, and Roquefort crumbles.
—Nancy Vienneau, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2026
So as the secure and stable image Dubai spent so long cultivating crumbles, is a mass exodus imminent?
—Tamara Hardingham-Gill, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 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 14 Mar. 2026.
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