crunch time
noun
: a critical moment or period (as near the end of a game) when decisive action is needed
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
James had 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, but Antetokoumpo got the best of the top scorer in NBA history at crunch time.
—
CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
The guild nominees and the BAFTA longlista have narrowed the field to a degree, but with so many people in town and so little time to get them in front of Oscar voters, this is crunch time, and campaign consultants are wasting no time doing just that.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2026
No matter the situation or opponent, Mendoza has responded, especially in crunch time, and given Indiana whatever was needed to win.
—Antonio Morales, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
However, the 6-foot-4 senior guard, who picked up two early fouls and did not score in 10 minutes the initial half, also committed a pivotal mistake during crunch time that helped the Knights hold off the Jayhawks 81-75.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 Jan. 2026
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CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
The guild nominees and the BAFTA longlista have narrowed the field to a degree, but with so many people in town and so little time to get them in front of Oscar voters, this is crunch time, and campaign consultants are wasting no time doing just that.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2026
No matter the situation or opponent, Mendoza has responded, especially in crunch time, and given Indiana whatever was needed to win.
—Antonio Morales, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026
However, the 6-foot-4 senior guard, who picked up two early fouls and did not score in 10 minutes the initial half, also committed a pivotal mistake during crunch time that helped the Knights hold off the Jayhawks 81-75.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crunch time
Cite this Entry
“Crunch time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crunch%20time. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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