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)

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

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Verb
With the help of mystical disciples, Joan hijacks a charity event and takes three hostages: a crumbling movie star, played by Evans; wealthy elite Bracken, played by Vincent Cassel (Black Swan); and a woman named Katie, played by Ambika Mod (One Day). Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024 Nudge theory With the problem of crumbling and overcrowded prisons growing, judges may be given the powers to hand down sentences that force offenders to stay at home, while being monitored by electronic tags. Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week Uk, theweek, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
And when the reward doesn’t feel worth the struggle—or when things get hard—motivation crumbles. Akin Akinpelu, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 As her face crumbles at the news, the scene cuts to Grace, as the camera slowly zooms in. Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 4 Nov. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near crumble

Cite this Entry

“Crumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crumble. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on crumble

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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