crumbling

crum·ble  (krmbl)

v. crum·bled, crum·bling, crum·bles

v.tr.

To break into small fragments or particles.

v.intr.

1. To fall into small fragments or particles; disintegrate. See Synonyms at decay.

2. To give way; collapse: an ego that crumbles under pressure.

n.

A baked dessert of fruit topped with a crumbly pastry mixture: cherry crumble.

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[Alteration (influenced by crumb) of Middle English cremelen, from Old English *crymelen, frequentative of gecrymmian, to break into crumbs, from cruma, crumb.]

Thesaurus

crumbling

adjective disintegrating, collapsing, deteriorating, decaying, eroding, decomposing, mouldering the building's leaking roofs, broken windows, and crumbling stonework