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
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
Additionally, decorations made of thin plastics, foam, or fabric don’t age well in hot attics, often melting, crumbling, or attracting pests.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Jan. 2026
However, the Facebook post specified that despite the building crumbling, business at The Singing Chef Cafe has been thriving.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Dec. 2025
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
Surrounded by vicious and violent hitmen that have been pressed into service as childcare, Juan Pablo must reckon with his father's crumbling power and find his own way in the world after his death.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
After one crumbling alien civilization captures this signal and plans to invade Earth, humanity divides into those who will welcome the new beings and those who plan to fight against them.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
His stance as the ER’s conscience is crumbling.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
Flores said the community continues to struggle with a range of problems, including poor air quality, high poverty rates, weak worker protections and crumbling infrastructure.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
However, as the show begins, the family’s pristine facade is just on the verge of crumbling.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 22 Mar. 2026
The foundations are crumbling Congress is likely to continue to reduce benefits associated with both Social Security and Medicare.
—Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
The Tampa businessman warns that beyond its politics, the lack of legal and property rights, regulatory constraints and crumbling infrastructure have led many a foreign investor in Cuba, over the past decades, to learn the lesson the hard way.
—Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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
Additionally, decorations made of thin plastics, foam, or fabric don’t age well in hot attics, often melting, crumbling, or attracting pests.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Jan. 2026
However, the Facebook post specified that despite the building crumbling, business at The Singing Chef Cafe has been thriving.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Dec. 2025
Verb
The crumbling industrial scenery by Riccardo Hernández is visually stunning and versatile, and it’s gorgeously illuminated by lighting designer Robert Wierzel.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
Surrounded by vicious and violent hitmen that have been pressed into service as childcare, Juan Pablo must reckon with his father's crumbling power and find his own way in the world after his death.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2026
After one crumbling alien civilization captures this signal and plans to invade Earth, humanity divides into those who will welcome the new beings and those who plan to fight against them.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
His stance as the ER’s conscience is crumbling.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
Flores said the community continues to struggle with a range of problems, including poor air quality, high poverty rates, weak worker protections and crumbling infrastructure.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
However, as the show begins, the family’s pristine facade is just on the verge of crumbling.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 22 Mar. 2026
The foundations are crumbling Congress is likely to continue to reduce benefits associated with both Social Security and Medicare.
—Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
The Tampa businessman warns that beyond its politics, the lack of legal and property rights, regulatory constraints and crumbling infrastructure have led many a foreign investor in Cuba, over the past decades, to learn the lesson the hard way.
—Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crumbling
Noun
-
When expectation and reality part ways for a cohort that’s been raised on the assumption of upward mobility—when elites start to sink, and reform is blocked—the political waters get very rough, often leading to social disintegration and unrest.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
-
But with the disintegration of Hollywood, one of the world’s greatest industry clusters, something more than jobs and income is lost.—
Geoff Colvin,
Fortune,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Now the war has turned into a race to stabilize the rapidly deteriorating global economic order, central to which is reopening the Strait of Hormuz.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Her mother, Maria Alejandra, had told me in long, vivid emails about some of more serious concerns about her and her daughter’s deteriorating mental and physical health during their prolonged detention.—
Mica Rosenberg,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The goal is to facilitate talks and secure an easing of the White House pressure campaign to isolate Cuba through a de facto oil blockade that is causing crippling fuel shortages and worsening blackouts, according to several people familiar with the talks.—
Anthony Faiola,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
-
But by the evening, lawmakers were still struggling to reach an agreement to end the impasse, even as many viewed the worsening situation at the nation's airports as untenable.—
Sam Gringlas,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With the main entrance positioned above the building, visitors access the wellness center via a descending staircase and a gently curving ramp.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Her photo of the results, showing multiple blue spots descending the stairs, was shown in court.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
While the data show overall birth outcomes improving — declining rates of prematurity, low birth weight, and infant mortality — disparities are still prevalent, particularly for Black women.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The grand jury had the options of handing up an indictment, declining to indict and issuing a report known as a presentment.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumbling. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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