as in crisis
a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action
with only three minutes left in the game, it was definitely crunch time
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crunch time
When the Indiana Fever fell to the Golden State Valkyries on Thursday night, Clark had two awful turnovers in crunch time, and led her team in that category with five, while simultaneously leading the team in scoring.
—
Jon Root Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2026
That didn’t happen in crunch time, though, thanks to Hartenstein, who was masterful battling Wembanyama in the trenches.
—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
In crunch times, our duties overlap.
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Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2026
The distinction, as Green told The Athletic earlier this week, involves which guys stand up at crunch time – the postseason, of course, being the crunchiest of crunch time – and which guys don’t.
—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crunch time
Jon Root Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2026
That didn’t happen in crunch time, though, thanks to Hartenstein, who was masterful battling Wembanyama in the trenches.
—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
In crunch times, our duties overlap.
—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2026
The distinction, as Green told The Athletic earlier this week, involves which guys stand up at crunch time – the postseason, of course, being the crunchiest of crunch time – and which guys don’t.
—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crunch time
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crunch time
Noun
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That helped resolve Europe’s emerging jet fuel crisis and Australia’s diesel shortage.
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The revelation about the IRS seizure comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over taxpayer funds used to fight the homelessness crisis.
Noun
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The Scorpio moon fills your head with future plans for creative expansion.
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Wilson joins a Bulls team that has signaled a full rebuild this summer, installing a new head coach and front office before the draft.
Noun
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Running from the Rocky Mountains in Colorado to Mexico’s Gulf of California, the Colorado River is being pushed to the breaking point by years of drought and overuse.
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Hugh Jackman has reportedly reached his breaking point with the ongoing drama surrounding his split from ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness.
Noun
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Water temperatures in the area ranged from 185 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, near the boiling point at Yellowstone's elevation.
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The vacuum lowers the boiling point of heavier fractions so they can be separated out easily.
Noun
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More than 98% of active duty troops complied, but the mandate became a flash point.
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Funerals are also a flash point.
Cite this Entry
“Crunch time.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crunch%20time. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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