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
LaVine addresses fourth-quarter benchings LaVine sat in crunch time for a third straight game.
—
Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 21 Nov. 2025
Bridges had 22 points and eight rebounds while Ball registered 20 points, eight assists and five rebounds in 28 minutes, which includes finishing the game in crunch time.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 Nov. 2025
When teams are fighting for home-court advantage or top-six seeds in their conference or even just trying to make the Play-In Tournament, this early-season execution in crunch time will provide a massive advantage or disadvantage.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
In crunch time, stability teamed with chaos to close out the Lakers as LeBron James watched from his seat on the sideline.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crunch time
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Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 21 Nov. 2025
Bridges had 22 points and eight rebounds while Ball registered 20 points, eight assists and five rebounds in 28 minutes, which includes finishing the game in crunch time.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 Nov. 2025
When teams are fighting for home-court advantage or top-six seeds in their conference or even just trying to make the Play-In Tournament, this early-season execution in crunch time will provide a massive advantage or disadvantage.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
In crunch time, stability teamed with chaos to close out the Lakers as LeBron James watched from his seat on the sideline.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 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 27 Nov. 2025.
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