crumbles

shatters

Breaks into fragments

• fracturesBreaks in rigid material
• disintegratesBreaks into small parts
• fragmentsIncomplete broken pieces

cracks · snaps · splinters · crumples · ruptures · splits · pulverizes · crushes · shivers · granulates

streusel

Crumbly baked pastry layer

• crispFirm and breakable
• cobblerShoe repair artisan
• oatsCereal grain for porridge

butter · flour · sugar · cinnamon · brown sugar · nuts · granola · biscuit · pastry · dessert

deteriorates

Becomes progressively worse

• decomposesBreaks into simpler components
• erodesWears away gradually
• corrodesDegrades through oxidation

oxidizes · rots · molds · weathers · degrades · disintegrates · wastes away · biodegrades · spoils · perishes

caves in

Collapses or surrenders

• gives waySurrenders or collapses
• fallsDescends or declines
• tumblesFalls in disarray

buckles · subsides · topples · implodes · deteriorates · succumbs · fails · disintegrates · breaks down · slumps

brittle

Liable to shatter

• delicateEasily broken or harmed
• friableReadily reduced to fragments
• frangibleCapable of being broken

flaky · powdery · tender · soft · dry · mealy · porous · chalky · sandy · grainy

ancient

Very old indeed

• weatheredEroded by exposure
• erodedGradually degraded by elements
• dilapidatedRuined through neglect

decaying · remnants · vestiges · rubble · debris · stones · walls · foundations · relics · abandoned

• erodeserodes, corrodes, abrades, wears down, wears out
• ground meatground beef, ground pork, ground lamb, ground turkey, ground chicken
• breaks downfalls apart, collapses, disintegrates, analyzes, separates
• animal feedhorse feed, poultry feed, bird food, grain, chicken feed
• feed millsfeed mill, pellet mill, pelleting, pellets, mixers
• fish feedfish meal, fish oil, fish flakes, pellets, flakes