crutch

noun \ ˈkrəch \

Updated on: 20 May 2018

Definition of crutch

1 a : a support typically fitting under the armpit for use by the disabled in walking

b : a source or means of support or assistance that is relied on heavily or excessively

They refuse to take any pills. They don't want to use drugs as a crutch.
—Maya Pines

Even many atheists would agree that believing that God cares about you or that your life is part of a cosmic plan can be a powerful source of hope (or, to put it pejoratively, a crutch).
—Virginia Postrel

2 : a forked leg rest constituting the pommel of a sidesaddle

3 : the crotch of a human being or an animal

4 : a forked support

See crutch defined for English-language learners

See crutch defined for kids

Recent Examples of crutch from the Web

And that’s where Facebook will thrive as crutch, the opiate of the socially precarious and atomized masses, the Band-Aid on the social wound that’s festered to bursting.

— antonio garcía martínez, WIRED, "How Facebook Binds, and Shatters, Communities," 11 May 2018
Many people who feel overwhelmed by their personal problems come to use the emergency services as a crutch.

— The Economist, "The patients who call emergency services dozens of times a year," 1 May 2018
The Heat are now, in the moment, not reliant on the deep past as a crutch.

— greg cote, miamiherald, "It's Dolphins vs. Heat for South Florida's heart, and why one has earned your trust | Miami Herald," 13 Apr. 2018
McCain was photographed, on crutches, shaking hands with President Richard Nixon.

— dan nowicki, azcentral, "How John McCain's POW release 45 years ago started his path to politics," 2 Apr. 2018
Dozens of the civilians appeared to be wounded, some hobbling on crutches, another with an eye injury.

— philip issa and sarah el deeb, chicagotribune.com, "Defeated rebels begin leaving enclave near Syrian capital after deal with government," 22 Mar. 2018
He's been leaning on this crutch, in fact, for the better part of a decade.

— jay willis, GQ, "Sean Hannity Can't Decide If He's a Journalist or Not," 16 Mar. 2018
There was a young woman on crutches, a young man toting a guitar on his back.

— Philly.com, "'I don't want to be shot': Thousands of Philly-area students participate in national school walkout," 14 Mar. 2018
Accompanying them was a pair of crutches Foster was using to walk.

— peggy truong, Cosmopolitan, "The Real Reason Jodie Foster Was On Crutches At the Oscars," 5 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'crutch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.