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
Lindsey showed the last element in crunch time Saturday, trailing 28-24 with six minutes left in the fourth quarter.
—
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 29 Sep. 2025
In addition to their defense, special teams was a major culprit, particularly in crunch time.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Baker Mayfield has been clutch in crunch time and now owns the seventh-best MVP odds at 20-1.
—Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
That’s when Canales and Idzik will likely test him in crunch time.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crunch time
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 29 Sep. 2025
In addition to their defense, special teams was a major culprit, particularly in crunch time.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Baker Mayfield has been clutch in crunch time and now owns the seventh-best MVP odds at 20-1.
—Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
That’s when Canales and Idzik will likely test him in crunch time.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 18 Sep. 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 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share