crumble

verb

ˈkrəm-bəl How to pronounce crumble (audio)
Definition of crumblenext
as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value the stock of the energy company crumbled after the revelations of fraud and mismanagement

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 crumble When new, concrete possesses a thin, temporarily protective layer that, if not maintained, will wear away, exposing the interior, which gradually crumbles. — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026 Their complaints include inadequate staffing at schools, a lack of resources, crumbling infrastructure, and allegedly overpacked schedules. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026 During her time in office, the city has weathered federal immigration raids and witnessed a continuing exit of Hollywood jobs, while residents complain about dirty, crumbling streets and homeless encampments. — ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026 Although the terror group’s caliphate crumbled in 2019, ISIS has been gaining young American followers willing to take their violent direction. — Jeff Winter, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crumble
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crumble
  1. deteriorate
  2. descend
  3. worsen
  4. decline
Verb
  • Meanwhile, at the celebratory crew dinner, the we’re-all-in-this-together vibe starts to deteriorate.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Her condition deteriorated rapidly over the following 48 hours.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of deteriorate
Verb
  • As the town and its residents descend into chaos after a massive iceberg emerges from the water, Calvin realizes it might all be connected to his father’s accident.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The statement said the weapon separated from its booster rocket at the planned altitude, then descended and maneuvered both vertically and horizontally before hitting a test target.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of descend
Verb
  • Some experts point to worsening public health since the 2008 financial crisis, citing factors such as growing obesity, long hospital waiting times, the cost-of-living crisis and other social causes.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 4 Oct. 2026
  • His latest promise — which, like the others, would require approval from Congress — would probably cost more than $1 trillion, adding to the ballooning deficit and worsening inflation.
    — Melissa Goldin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of worsen
Verb
  • When Albin returned to the question of which country posed the greater threat to American interests, el Sayed again declined to choose between them, arguing that both had demonstrated the capacity to cause harm.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Courtesy of Heineken, 2026 Caton declined to say how many European jobs will go, citing ongoing consultation with staff and the European Works Council.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of decline

Browse Nearby Words

crumb
crumble
crumbled
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Cite this Entry

“Crumble.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumble. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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