crumble

1 of 2

verb

crum·​ble ˈkrəm-bəl How to pronounce crumble (audio)
crumbled; crumbling ˈkrəm-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce crumble (audio)
Synonyms of crumble

transitive verb

: to break into small pieces

intransitive verb

1
: to fall into small pieces : disintegrate
2
: to break down completely : collapse
marriages crumble

crumble

2 of 2

noun

1
: something crumbled : fine debris
2
: crisp sense 2

Synonyms of crumble

Relevance

Verb

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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
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.
Verb
Dry conditions aside, Puerto Rico is also struggling with a lack of water blamed on crumbling infrastructure. — Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Since Travis disappeared from the huddle, that empire has crumbled like it had been built on his shoulders all along. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026
Noun
The Spot At The Spot in Las Vegas, a double patty, house bacon, lettuce, tomato, blue cheese crumbles on a brioche bun. — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 For decades, Mamdani’s predecessors have found the only choice more politically unpalatable than letting the whole three-layer cake of infrastructure crumble away is trying to stop it from crumbling. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crumble

Word History

Etymology

Verb

alteration of Middle English kremelen, frequentative of Old English gecrymian to crumble, from cruma

First Known Use

Verb

1547, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1860, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of crumble was in 1547

Rhymes for crumble

See All Rhymes for crumble

Browse Nearby Words

crumbiness
crumble
crumbled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crumble. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

crumble

verb
crum·​ble
ˈkrəm-bəl
crumbled; crumbling
-b(ə-)liŋ
1
: to break into small pieces
crumble bread
2
: to fall into ruin
relationships crumble
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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