crumble
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
-
to fall into small pieces; break or part into small fragments.
- Synonyms:
- disintegrate
-
to decay or disintegrate gradually.
The ancient walls had crumbled.
noun
-
a crumbly or crumbled substance.
-
crumbles, bits of crisp bacon, bread, etc., added to other foods, especially as a topping.
-
British Dialect. crumb; particle; fragment.
verb
-
to break or be broken into crumbs or fragments
-
(intr) to fall apart or away
his resolution crumbled
noun
Other Word Forms
- crumblingness noun
- half-crumbled adjective
- uncrumbled adjective
Etymology
Origin of crumble
1375–1425; earlier crymble, crimble; late Middle English kremelen, akin to crome crumb; -le
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In fact, tailwinds from 2025 are becoming headwinds, as energy prices climb and the K-shaped recovery starts to crumble: “Paper-rich consumers supported spending by running down savings, however this is already dissipating,’ Carroll writes.
From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026
A looming question is what might happen should the regime crumble under U.S.-led pressure.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026
The gambit was meant to speed the agency’s approval should the Netflix deal crumble.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026
"She's sassy, fun and she knows her onions - and her croissants, cake and crumble," Dame Prue added.
From BBC • Jan. 26, 2026
Mama makes a few attempts at conversation, but they crumble.
From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
