as in brittle
having a texture that readily breaks into little pieces under pressure
a crumbly shortbread cookie
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 crumbly
Using a wooden spoon, stir until a crumbly dough is formed.
—
Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
In America, scones are usually triangular, err on the crumbly and dense side, are loaded with mix-ins, and may be savory or sweet.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Feb. 2026
Because the local stone can be crumbly, flexible walking shoes are often better than stiff trekking boots.
—Paul Richardson, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2026
Non-crumbly Protein Bars Speaking of protein, Whitmore, Hirst, and Grotts are also fond of protein bars.
—Karla Walsh, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crumbly
Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
In America, scones are usually triangular, err on the crumbly and dense side, are loaded with mix-ins, and may be savory or sweet.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Feb. 2026
Because the local stone can be crumbly, flexible walking shoes are often better than stiff trekking boots.
—Paul Richardson, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2026
Non-crumbly Protein Bars Speaking of protein, Whitmore, Hirst, and Grotts are also fond of protein bars.
—Karla Walsh, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crumbly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crumbly
Adjective
-
But as anyone who’s dropped a mug knows, ceramics are also brittle and prone to smashing.—
Caitlin Kennedy,
Scientific American,
25 Apr. 2026
-
According to Fifield, light can cause books to fade and become more brittle over time.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Fresh bread served in a crisp white linen.—
Nathanael Gassett,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The camera then cuts to the Foo Fighters, dressed in nice, clean, crisp white outfits, performing to an ecstatic crowd similarly dressed in nice, clean, crisp white outfits.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
However, the fragile and friable nature of aged amber likely posed a significant challenge to its removal.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Those unregulated hazardous substances include liquid waste, friable, asbestos wastes and combustion wastes.—
Stuart Dyos,
Nashville Tennessean,
16 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crumbly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crumbly. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
