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
Over the last seven years or so, no duo in The Association has closed out tight games the way Joker and Murray could in crunch time.
—
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
That’s why the Knicks need to be able to hang their hat on their defense — for nights when Brunson, the king of crunch time last season, looks like a human, until Karl-Anthony Towns finds his shot and Mikal Bridges stops disappearing for long stretches.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
That means getting stops at crunch time.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
The Lightning enjoyed crunch time to clinch another league title.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crunch time
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Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
That’s why the Knicks need to be able to hang their hat on their defense — for nights when Brunson, the king of crunch time last season, looks like a human, until Karl-Anthony Towns finds his shot and Mikal Bridges stops disappearing for long stretches.
—James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
That means getting stops at crunch time.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
The Lightning enjoyed crunch time to clinch another league title.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 29 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 18 Feb. 2026.
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