What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
collapse
Example
The building collapsed after the earthquake. [collapse: verb]
Example
He collapsed on the floor after running a marathon. [collapsed: past tense]
Example
The company's financial plan collapsed due to poor management. [collapse: noun]
crumble
Example
The old wall crumbled under the weight of the heavy rain. [crumbled: past tense]
Example
Their friendship slowly crumbled over time. [crumble: verb]
Example
The cookie crumbled in my hand as I took a bite. [crumble: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Collapse is more commonly used than crumble in everyday language. Collapse is often used to describe the failure of buildings, systems, or plans, while crumble is less common and typically used to describe the breaking apart of physical objects or the gradual deterioration of relationships or situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between collapse and crumble?
Both collapse and crumble can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, collapse may be more commonly used in formal settings when discussing the failure of structures or systems, while crumble is more versatile and can be used in various formality levels.
