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
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
That doesn’t mean the Bears will win every tight playoff game, but they won’t be fazed in crunch time.
—Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
During that same year, Green was caught arguing with then-teammate Kevin Durant after not passing Durant the ball during crunch time of a game against the Clippers.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
The week before Christmas is crunch time for holiday shopping.
—Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crunch time
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Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 Jan. 2026
That doesn’t mean the Bears will win every tight playoff game, but they won’t be fazed in crunch time.
—Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
During that same year, Green was caught arguing with then-teammate Kevin Durant after not passing Durant the ball during crunch time of a game against the Clippers.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
The week before Christmas is crunch time for holiday shopping.
—Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2025
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 7 Jan. 2026.
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