crumbled; crumbling
ˈkrəm-b(ə-)liŋ 
: to break into small pieces
1
: to fall into small pieces : disintegrate
2
: to break down completely : collapse
marriages crumble
1
: something crumbled : fine debris
2
Examples of crumble in a Sentence
Verb
Crumble the cookies into small bits.
The recipe calls for the herbs to be crumbled.
bones so old they had crumbled to dust
She was extremely depressed after her marriage crumbled.
Recent Examples on the Web
Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Unfortunately, countless family businesses crumble—not for financial reasons, but because of missteps in preparation.
—Anatoly Iofe, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
AFAR Media, 10 July 2025
Russia has already seen one valuable alliance crumble recently by way of last year’s ousting of Bashar al Assad’s regime in Syria putting the future of Moscow’s air and naval bases in the country in doubt.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for crumble
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Verb
But Paxton's sizeable lead could crumble in light of his divorce proceedings.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Unfortunately, countless family businesses crumble—not for financial reasons, but because of missteps in preparation.
—Anatoly Iofe, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Noun
After that, dessert choices included chocolate cake, apple crumble with vanilla sauce, and a selection of traditional Turkish sweets.
—AFAR Media, 10 July 2025
Russia has already seen one valuable alliance crumble recently by way of last year’s ousting of Bashar al Assad’s regime in Syria putting the future of Moscow’s air and naval bases in the country in doubt.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for crumble
Cite this Entry
“Crumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crumble. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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