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
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
Her idyllic life with her husband Aitor (Roberto Álamo) and their teenage son Sebas (Teo Soler) begins to crumble when Félix is released from prison, coinciding with a new wave of crimes that eerily mirror the murders committed 25 years ago.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 Oct. 2025
Cowboy chili is wonderfully rich and beefy, with satisfying bites of tender chuck roast—which seem meatier than ground beef crumbles.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crumble
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Verb
In addition to rampant inflation, goods shortages, and a crumbling labor market, the liquid reserves held in Russia’s National Wealth Fund continue to decline precipitously, down to approximately $35 billion from $117 billion three years ago.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
Her idyllic life with her husband Aitor (Roberto Álamo) and their teenage son Sebas (Teo Soler) begins to crumble when Félix is released from prison, coinciding with a new wave of crimes that eerily mirror the murders committed 25 years ago.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
Bake for eight to 10 minutes, until sauce is bubbling again and the crumble topping is golden brown.
—Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 Oct. 2025
Cowboy chili is wonderfully rich and beefy, with satisfying bites of tender chuck roast—which seem meatier than ground beef crumbles.
—Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 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 25 Oct. 2025.
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