CRUMBLY Synonyms: 25 Similar and Opposite Words

crumbly

adjective

ˈkrəm-b(ə-)lē

Definition of crumbly

as in brittle

having a texture that readily breaks into little pieces under pressure a crumbly shortbread cookie

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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 crumbly While the streusel topping is crumbly, the inside of the loaf is soft and fluffy; it’s also studded with a hefty amount of fresh raspberries. — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2026 Too often, the crust is defined by its crumbly, hard-to-slice nature. — Rachel Dolfi, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 July 2026 But for foods that are more crumbly and less stain-y, Miss Manners finds leather (or a stain-resistant slippery equivalent) a helpful material for getting things to slide right to the floor. — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2026 Banana peels break down into a rich, crumbly compost packed with potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium that roses love. — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for crumbly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crumbly

Adjective

Many of the blades made late in the war were rushed through production, and many slipped through that were too brittle or too soft.

— David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
That moisturizing combination can benefit dry, brittle strands, too, since better lubricated hair creates less friction—and potentially less tangling and mechanical breakage—during brushing and styling.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of brittle

Adjective

Roman’s images will have the same crisp resolution as Hubble’s, but each one will capture a patch of sky at least 100 times larger.

— Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Each bite was unique — a pocket of cold sour cream here, the cheese only partially melted there, the last crisp cry of the ever-steaming French fries yonder.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of crisp

Adjective

The soil is peat dark, friable, and gravid with potatoes, onions, sugar beet, lettuce, maize, and wheat that moves in dry, whispering sheets.

— Rob Crossan, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 July 2026
The second bottle, with confetti-ish contents, was equally useless—whatever had been inside had broken down into a friable mess.

— Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2026

Definition of friable

Browse Nearby Words

crumbling

crumbly

crumbs

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“Crumbly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumbly. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of crumbly

adjective

Example Sentences

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