as in disintegration
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as in deteriorating
to become worse or of less value
the stock of the energy company crumbled after the revelations of fraud and mismanagement
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Recent Examples of crumbling
Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Winter storms left its gazebo teetering, 50 feet of asphalt crumbling, and a dramatic 6 foot drop down to the sand.
—Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
The media covers it as a flash fire, not as a symptom of more dry rot in the crumbling of decorum and decency.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 21 Mar. 2026
As a seasoned journalist, writer, media analyst and a close observer of recent developments in AI, the exec offered a sharp insight into how rapidly developing technology is contributing to the crumbling of our understanding of media.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
As the tree grows, the roots will push out and possibly up, causing cracks and crumbling of the surfaces.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026
The introduction of Allen Klein [the notorious business manager whom Lennon advocated to take over the Beatles' affairs] precipitates the band’s crumbling.
—Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 26 Feb. 2026
Besides preventing mold and mildew, cleaning will also taper unpleasant odors and prevent cracking and crumbling of your seal.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 21 Feb. 2026
Leveling threats of tariffs on adversaries and allies alike has been relatively easy, but the result has been a weakening of the economy and American trade ties, and a crumbling of the old global-trade system.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 June 2026
The third project in Wilmington, near the Port of Los Angeles, would have fixed crumbling sidewalks and added high-visibility crosswalks.
—Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
This is an ignoble war making monsters and fools out of its participants, and against the uncontrollable weapons that are dragons, everyone’s resolve is crumbling.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 18 June 2026
During the morning low tide, while there was still a small stretch of sand, excavators were working to pile large rip-rap boulders next to the base of the crumbling Pacifica Pier.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 16 June 2026
Constraints curb the capital investments necessary for the timely reparation of outdated systems and crumbling infrastructure within the state’s current funding regime.
—Dr. Andraé Townsel, Hartford Courant, 16 June 2026
Failing to correct problems can lead to crumbling home foundations, rotting wood, mold growth, and a proliferation of pests, including termites.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 June 2026
Are there other forms of romanticism, beauty, and desire that can emerge from what increasingly feels like a crumbling empire?
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 16 June 2026
If the grout is crumbling, cracked, or permanently discolored, replacing it may be the best solution.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 10 June 2026
Noun
The video marked the crumbling of his alibi, legal experts told CNN at the time.
—Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Winter storms left its gazebo teetering, 50 feet of asphalt crumbling, and a dramatic 6 foot drop down to the sand.
—Carolyn Gusoff, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
The media covers it as a flash fire, not as a symptom of more dry rot in the crumbling of decorum and decency.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 21 Mar. 2026
As a seasoned journalist, writer, media analyst and a close observer of recent developments in AI, the exec offered a sharp insight into how rapidly developing technology is contributing to the crumbling of our understanding of media.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
As the tree grows, the roots will push out and possibly up, causing cracks and crumbling of the surfaces.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026
The introduction of Allen Klein [the notorious business manager whom Lennon advocated to take over the Beatles' affairs] precipitates the band’s crumbling.
—Joe Hagan, Vanity Fair, 26 Feb. 2026
Besides preventing mold and mildew, cleaning will also taper unpleasant odors and prevent cracking and crumbling of your seal.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 21 Feb. 2026
Leveling threats of tariffs on adversaries and allies alike has been relatively easy, but the result has been a weakening of the economy and American trade ties, and a crumbling of the old global-trade system.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
Rather than crumbling after allowing the first-minute goal, Scotland has settled down and given itself a chance to get back into the game rather than conceded a quick, second goal.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 June 2026
The third project in Wilmington, near the Port of Los Angeles, would have fixed crumbling sidewalks and added high-visibility crosswalks.
—Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
This is an ignoble war making monsters and fools out of its participants, and against the uncontrollable weapons that are dragons, everyone’s resolve is crumbling.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 18 June 2026
During the morning low tide, while there was still a small stretch of sand, excavators were working to pile large rip-rap boulders next to the base of the crumbling Pacifica Pier.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 16 June 2026
Constraints curb the capital investments necessary for the timely reparation of outdated systems and crumbling infrastructure within the state’s current funding regime.
—Dr. Andraé Townsel, Hartford Courant, 16 June 2026
Failing to correct problems can lead to crumbling home foundations, rotting wood, mold growth, and a proliferation of pests, including termites.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 June 2026
Are there other forms of romanticism, beauty, and desire that can emerge from what increasingly feels like a crumbling empire?
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 16 June 2026
If the grout is crumbling, cracked, or permanently discolored, replacing it may be the best solution.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 10 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crumbling
Noun
-
There were reasons aplenty for the disintegration of their form.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
This test will also be suborbital and is aimed at showing the new hardware works as expected; most previous Starship tests have ended in an explosion or with the disintegration of the rocket, although the most recent two tests were successful.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Many of these coupists capitalized on public discontent over deteriorating economies and security conditions to overthrow their predecessors.—
Kaitlyn Rabe,
The Conversation,
16 June 2026
-
Project Jupiter has pledged $360 million for schools and local infrastructure, $50 million for an upgrade to the county’s deteriorating water utility, and $12 million annually to the county budget.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
This affordability crisis disproportionately impacts Black women, with 90% reporting worsening economic conditions and incomes not keeping pace.—
Aisha Nyandoro,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
Lower inventory leads to fewer sales, worsening their standing with automakers.—
Byron Hurd,
The Drive,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
All the other Buzz toys follow suit, dropping into the playground like soldiers descending into battle, and the rest of the kids all excitedly grab one to play with.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
-
If only the look from the outside-in had measured up the same way instead of descending into a fiasco as thousands faced infuriating delays getting to the stadium.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Factors such as declining birth rates and families moving out of the city are contributing to declining enrollment at Denver Public Schools.—
Chierstin Roth,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
While one in three students nationwide experienced chronic absenteeism during the 2021-2022 academic year, the rate is declining, from up to 30% to roughly 24% by the start of the past school year, according to estimates from the Return 2 Learn tracker reviewed by ABC News.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumbling. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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