Crumble vs. Crumple: What's the Difference?
By Harlon Moss || Updated on May 28, 2024
Crumble means to break into small pieces or fragments, typically in a gradual manner, while crumple means to crush something into a wrinkled or creased state, often suddenly and forcefully.
Key Differences
Crumble involves the process of breaking something into small, often irregular pieces, usually seen with materials like bread, soil, or stone. This action usually occurs gradually and suggests a weakening or decay. Crumple, in contrast, refers to compressing or folding something into a smaller, often disordered shape, creating wrinkles or creases. This action is typically more immediate and forceful, commonly associated with paper, fabric, or metal.
When you crumble something, it disintegrates or falls apart into smaller components. This term is frequently used in culinary contexts, such as crumbling cookies or cheese, or describing the erosion of materials. Crumpling something involves pressing or squeezing it so that it becomes wrinkled or bent out of shape, often used with materials that can be easily deformed, like paper or cloth.
Crumble conveys a sense of gradual breakdown or disintegration, whereas crumple implies a sudden and more physical deformation. Both actions result in a change of form, but the nature and context of the change differ significantly.
Comparison Chart
Definition
To break into small pieces gradually
To crush into a wrinkled or creased state
Action
Gradual disintegration
Sudden compression or folding
ADVERTISEMENT
Common Materials
Bread, soil, stone
Paper, fabric, metal
Contexts
Erosion, culinary, decay
Physical deformation, handling items
Result
Small fragments or particles
Wrinkled, creased, or folded state
Crumble and Crumple Definitions
Crumble
To break or fall apart into small fragments.
The old cookie began to crumble in my hands.
Crumple
To crush into wrinkles or folds.
She crumpled the paper into a ball and tossed it away.
ADVERTISEMENT
Crumble
To collapse or give way.
Their defenses crumbled under the constant pressure.
Crumple
To become wrinkled or creased.
The shirt crumpled in the suitcase.
Crumble
To decay or disintegrate gradually.
Over time, the ancient ruins started to crumble.
Crumple
To compress or bend out of shape.
The car's fender crumpled in the accident.
Crumble
To reduce to small fragments by crushing or grinding.
He crumbled the dry leaves between his fingers.
Crumple
To cause to become disordered or bent.
The strong winds crumpled the umbrella.
Crumble
To break into small fragments or pieces
I crumbled the cheese into the salad.
Crumple
To crush together or press into wrinkles; rumple.
Crumble
To fall into small fragments or pieces; disintegrate
The ancient castle had crumbled to ruins.
Crumple
To cause to collapse.
Crumble
To give way; collapse
An ego that crumbles under pressure.
Crumple
To become wrinkled.
Crumble
A baked dessert of fruit topped with a crumbly pastry mixture
Cherry crumble.
Crumple
To collapse
A regime that finally crumpled.
Crumble
The crumbly mixture on top of such a dessert.
Crumple
An irregular fold, crease, or wrinkle.
Crumble
To fall apart; to disintegrate.
The empire crumbled when the ruler's indiscretions came to light.
Crumple
A crease, wrinkle, or irregular fold.
Crumble
(transitive) To break into crumbs.
We crumbled some bread into the water.
Crumple
(transitive) To rumple; to press into wrinkles by crushing together.
Crumble
(transitive) To mix (ingredients such as flour and butter) in such a way as to form crumbs.
Using your fingers, crumble the ingredients with the fingertips, lifting in an upward motion, until the mixture is sandy and resembles large breadcrumbs.
Crumple
(transitive) To cause to collapse.
Crumble
A dessert of British origin containing stewed fruit topped with a crumbly mixture of fat, flour, and sugar.
Blackberry and apple crumble
Crumple
(intransitive) To become wrinkled.
Crumble
To break into small pieces; to cause to fall in pieces.
He with his bare wand can unthread thy joints,And crumble all thy sinews.
Crumple
To collapse.
Crumble
To fall into small pieces; to break or part into small fragments; hence, to fall to decay or ruin; to become disintegrated; to perish.
If the stone is brittle, it will crumble and pass into the form of gravel.
The league deprived of its principal supports must soon crumble to pieces.
Crumple
To draw or press into wrinkles or folds; to crush together; to rumple; as, to crumple paper.
They crumpled it into all shapes, and diligently scanned every wrinkle that could be made.
Crumble
Fall apart;
The building crimbled after the explosion
Negociations broke down
Crumple
To contract irregularly; to show wrinkles after being crushed together; as, leaves crumple.
Crumble
Break or fall apart into fragments;
The cookies crumbled
The Sphinx is crumbling
Crumple
Fall apart;
The building crimbled after the explosion
Negociations broke down
Crumble
Fall into decay or ruin;
The unoccupied house started to decay
Crumple
Fold or collapse;
His knees buckled
Crumble
To break into small pieces in preparation for cooking.
Crumble the feta cheese over the salad.
Crumple
To gather something into small wrinkles or folds;
She puckered her lips
Crumple
Become wrinkled or crumpled or creased;
This fabric won't wrinkle
Crumple
To collapse or fall down suddenly.
Exhausted, he crumpled to the ground.
FAQs
What does crumple mean?
Crumple means to crush or fold into a wrinkled or creased state.
Is crumble associated with decay?
Yes, crumble often implies a gradual decay or disintegration.
Can fabric crumple?
Yes, fabric can crumple, becoming wrinkled or creased when compressed.
Can food crumble?
Yes, foods like bread, cookies, or cheese can crumble into smaller pieces.
Is crumple a sudden action?
Yes, crumple typically involves a sudden and forceful action.
Does crumple imply permanent damage?
Crumple usually implies temporary deformation but can indicate permanent damage in severe cases.
What does crumble mean?
Crumble means to break into small pieces or fragments, usually gradually.
Can people crumple?
Figuratively, yes. People can crumple under pressure or collapse physically.
Can you crumble paper?
Technically yes, but it is more common to say paper is torn or shredded; crumple is more appropriate for paper.
Does crumble imply a complete breakdown?
Crumble suggests a breaking into smaller pieces, not necessarily a complete breakdown.
Can buildings crumble?
Yes, buildings can crumble over time due to decay or destruction.
Can you crumple something unintentionally?
Yes, items can be crumpled unintentionally, like when sitting on a piece of paper.
Can you crumple metal?
Yes, metal can crumple, especially in accidents where it is forcefully compressed.
Is crumbling reversible?
Crumbling is often not reversible as it involves breaking into small pieces.
Is crumple an immediate action?
Yes, crumple usually describes an immediate, forceful action.
Can you crumble something intentionally?
Yes, you can crumble something intentionally, like crumbling cheese.
What is a common context for crumble?
Crumble is common in culinary contexts and describing the decay of structures or materials.
Is crumble a gradual process?
Yes, crumble typically refers to a gradual process.
What is a common context for crumple?
Crumple is commonly used when talking about paper, fabric, or cars in accidents.
Is crumpling reversible?
Crumpling can be reversible, especially with items like fabric or paper, which can be smoothed out.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
