as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value
the stock of the energy company crumbled after the revelations of fraud and mismanagement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of crumble
Footage from Crystal Cove State Beach in Newport Beach made its rounds on social media as a lifeguard tower nearly tipped into the ocean as the sand crumbled under it when waves hit.
—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
18 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
Constraints curb the capital investments necessary for the timely reparation of outdated systems and crumbling infrastructure within the state’s current funding regime.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
See All Example Sentences for crumble
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
18 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
Constraints curb the capital investments necessary for the timely reparation of outdated systems and crumbling infrastructure within the state’s current funding regime.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
See All Example Sentences for crumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crumble
Verb
-
For the decades after the historic Old Soldiers’ Home was shut down in the 1970s, the two-thirds of the campus north of Wilshire Boulevard remained a collection of vacant deteriorating buildings and residential programs for physical and mental health recovery.
-
However, the strategy itself has been flawed, often prioritizing roads in excellent condition while allowing moderately deteriorating streets to fail completely.
Verb
-
Visitors descend 168 steps to a spectacular view of Sable Falls’ 75-foot cascade.
-
Hundreds of people descended on 52nd Street in West Philadelphia Sunday for the city's annual Juneteenth Parade.
Verb
-
On top of the usual risks that come with surgery, a botched revision can mean permanent scarring, loss of nasal support, worsened breathing, or a result that's structurally too compromised to correct again.
-
Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung disease that worsens over time and occurs when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred, according to Mayo Clinic.
Verb
-
With only a week of freedom under his belt, Cribbs said Powell is declining interviews for now, reentering the world with some trepidation.
-
The Padres declined comment for this column.
Cite this Entry
“Crumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumble. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
