desmoronar

to crumble

verb deh-smoh-rroh-NAHR Rare

Also means

to collapse

Usage Note

Desmoronar literally describes the crumbling of a wall or building, but is widely used figuratively for the collapse of plans, relationships, or institutions: su argumento se desmoronó ('his argument fell apart'). The reflexive form desmoronarse is more common than the transitive, since things tend to crumble of their own accord.

Examples

"El muro viejo se desmorona."

Natural Translation

The old wall is crumbling.

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