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
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
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
Larry Seward, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Under the proposal, Berlin would increase its budget by one fifth in 2027 compared to this year, requiring it to borrow upwards of $200 billion to revive its military industry and modernize crumbling infrastructure.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 30 Apr. 2026
That order is crumbling, and many of our former strengths built on our close ties to the United States have become our weaknesses.
—Keely Bastow, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026
The buildings, visibly crumbling in the salty environment of San Francisco Bay, needed major repairs.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
The Pitt explores the immense challenges faced by emergency room physicians and nurses in a crumbling American healthcare system.
—Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
Tourists were flocking in as a new class of Cuban entrepreneurs renovated crumbling buildings into restaurants, art galleries and hotels.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Proponents of the extensions say the country remains wracked by gang violence and crumbling medical infrastructure.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
High-quality craftsmanship—like the common space’s dark-wood pillars, reclaimed from Rajasthan’s crumbling havelis—is paired with standout accessories within each suite (think Häfele kettles and organic toiletries smelling of neroli and ylang-ylang).
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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
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
Verb
The lawsuit, filed by the 300 Biscayne Boulevard Way Condominium Association, claims building residents have observed concrete balconies crumbling and the building's seawall corroding, issues that lawyers estimate will cost millions of dollars to repair.
—Larry Seward, CBS News, 1 May 2026
Under the proposal, Berlin would increase its budget by one fifth in 2027 compared to this year, requiring it to borrow upwards of $200 billion to revive its military industry and modernize crumbling infrastructure.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 30 Apr. 2026
That order is crumbling, and many of our former strengths built on our close ties to the United States have become our weaknesses.
—Keely Bastow, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026
The buildings, visibly crumbling in the salty environment of San Francisco Bay, needed major repairs.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
The Pitt explores the immense challenges faced by emergency room physicians and nurses in a crumbling American healthcare system.
—Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
Tourists were flocking in as a new class of Cuban entrepreneurs renovated crumbling buildings into restaurants, art galleries and hotels.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Proponents of the extensions say the country remains wracked by gang violence and crumbling medical infrastructure.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
High-quality craftsmanship—like the common space’s dark-wood pillars, reclaimed from Rajasthan’s crumbling havelis—is paired with standout accessories within each suite (think Häfele kettles and organic toiletries smelling of neroli and ylang-ylang).
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crumbling
Noun
-
But even in its most opposing moments, from its depths of disintegration to its peaks of pattern-building, Spirals/Viral has a cryptic unity.—
Reed Jackson,
SPIN,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants the Islamic Republic’s disintegration, whereas Trump, possibly satisfied with tactical success in Iran, may desire any graceful exit.—
Alexander Langlois,
Oc Register,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The poll also points to broader economic malaise; 55% of Americans say recent price increases have led to financial hardship, and the same number say their financial situation is deteriorating.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In all cases, companies are reporting a surge in oil trading activity, tempered somewhat by the deteriorating outlook for natural gas production, stemming from Iranian air strikes severely damaging crucial gas production sites in the Gulf.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Local officials are hopeful the money can help prevent future upticks in land movement and, ideally, formalize a new pathway for additional federal funding to address the city’s ongoing hazards and worsening budget crisis.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
Two other sloths, Habanero and Bandit, also died because of their condition worsening after being rescued by the zoo.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
And thanks to South Florida’s population boom, real estate developers are descending on Wellington’s pastures.—
Elise Taylor,
Vanity Fair,
7 May 2026
-
The next morning, in rainy Washington, the protester came down from the bridge, descending via an internal ladder in the arch.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Bass defended her administration’s handling of homelessness, pointing to declining homelessness counts and the city’s Inside Safe program, while criticizing Raman’s record on police hiring and past votes against some encampment enforcement measures near schools and other sensitive sites.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
8 May 2026
-
Poverty, lack of transportation to school and mental health struggles contribute to absenteeism and declining enrollment across San Diego County.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crumbling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumbling. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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