crunch time

noun

: a critical moment or period (as near the end of a game) when decisive action is needed

Synonyms of crunch time

• crisis
• crossroad(s)
• head
• breaking point
• boiling point
• flash point

Examples of crunch time in a Sentence

The team had trained well, but at crunch time they just couldn't perform.

with only three minutes left in the game, it was definitely crunch time

Recent Examples on the Web

With the games now having the kind of stakes that Thursday’s contest lacked, that leaky defense – especially in crunch time toward the end of matches – is the possible Achilles heel for this team. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 26 June 2026

The owners could be banking that if their cap proposal looks better and better over time, players might think twice about choosing to miss games when crunch time arrives. — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 25 June 2026

Brunson remains the go-to scorer and respected leader whose unflappability in crunch time, even during his down games, is the ultimate separator. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 14 June 2026

Knicks star veteran guard Jalen Brunson often prevailed in crunch time, while Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox often missed key shots and made costly mistakes. — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for crunch time

• airtime
• bedtime
• daytime
• downtime
• enzyme
• halftime
• lifetime
• longtime
• lunchtime
• mealtime
• meantime
• nighttime