1
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
a severe energy crunch that resulted in long lines at the gas pumps
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crisis
a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action
a player who's always good in a crunch, like when we need a goal to win the soccer match
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crunch
Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 9 May 2025
An influx of new homes has eased some of the supply crunch, but construction of new homes remains well short of demand, Lautz said.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 8 May 2025
Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 29 Apr. 2025
ZipRecruiter crunched the numbers on the top fields, and the most common job title in that field, where soon-to-be grads are most likely to earn $100,000 or more right after graduation, based on job postings and their typical salary ranges for 2025 so far.
—Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crunch
Noun
The best part is that the blackening seasoning adds a little texture and crunch as well as flavor.
—Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 9 May 2025
An influx of new homes has eased some of the supply crunch, but construction of new homes remains well short of demand, Lautz said.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 8 May 2025
Verb
Each of the bills' sponsors agreed to kill their proposals in initial committee votes in recent days, amid uncertain support and a crunching end-of-session calendar.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 29 Apr. 2025
ZipRecruiter crunched the numbers on the top fields, and the most common job title in that field, where soon-to-be grads are most likely to earn $100,000 or more right after graduation, based on job postings and their typical salary ranges for 2025 so far.
—Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crunch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crunch
Noun
-
In their open letter this spring, former weather service directors warned that severe staffing shortages at local weather service offices could lead to less accurate and detailed forecasts this summer.—
Rebecca Hersher,
NPR,
19 May 2025
-
The Philadelphia air traffic control facility that handles flights at Newark is also experiencing a staffing shortage.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
19 May 2025
Noun
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President Donald Trump has highlighted fentanyl overdoses as a public health crisis and national emergency, and repeatedly criticized both Canada and Mexico for not doing enough to stop cross-border drug sales to American consumers.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, only 10% of investors liquidated their entire 529 accounts, and 20% switched to less risky assets, according to an earlier survey by higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz.—
Jessica Dickler,
CNBC,
14 May 2025
Verb
-
After sweeping aside Monza in their first Coppa Italia outing, their road to the final had not been easier, gritting out an impressive win over Atalanta in the quarterfinals before beating an Empoli side who had eliminated Juventus in the previous round.—
Adam Digby,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
-
Lee’s big swing came after Bailey Ober, working a day earlier than expected because of Joe Ryan’s illness, gritted out a start where nothing seemed to come easy.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
8 May 2025
Noun
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The defendants insisted there was no conspiracy and that NASL’s lack of recognition as a D1 or D2 league reflected its failure to meet objective metrics, including minimum stadium seating capacity, number of teams and time zone coverage.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
13 May 2025
-
The lack of movement in the Mainland market shows that domestic issues, as opposed to foreign matters, are weighing on local sentiment.—
Brendan Ahern,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
Now, Maineri heads into year 12 with 18 pitchers on his roster, hoping that rising junior Caleb Gilbert and sophomore-to-be Zach Hess will emerge at the top of the pitching rotation.—
John Roach,
NOLA.com,
19 July 2017
-
Cal Fire representatives said the current parking mess has already impacted them because the driveway to their station enters the highway not far from the trail head.—
J. Harry Jones,
Ramona Sentinel,
19 July 2017
Verb
-
The links with current Saudi champions Al Hilal are genuine, and that should be the real concern for everyone at Old Trafford — not whether Fernandes is overrated, underrated or secretly wants to scrape his studs down Keane’s shins.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
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Video footage on social media shows the ship — flying a huge Mexican flag — scraping the underside and its masts collapsing onto the deck.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
18 May 2025
Verb
-
Names scratched into the rusty walls are a bad sign.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
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When allergies affect feline skin, symptoms include scratching at their face and ears, scabs on their skin and fur loss.—
Jen Reeder,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crunch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crunch. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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