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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of crunch time
Ball posted 15 points to go with four rebounds and a pair of assists in 21 minutes, but there wasn’t much of a need for him in crunch time versus Golden State because the Hornets couldn’t keep pace with the Warriors.
—
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 Jan. 2026
James had 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, but Antetokoumpo got the best of the top scorer in NBA history at crunch time.
—CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
The guild nominees and the BAFTA longlista have narrowed the field to a degree, but with so many people in town and so little time to get them in front of Oscar voters, this is crunch time, and campaign consultants are wasting no time doing just that.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2026
However, the 6-foot-4 senior guard, who picked up two early fouls and did not score in 10 minutes the initial half, also committed a pivotal mistake during crunch time that helped the Knights hold off the Jayhawks 81-75.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crunch time
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 Jan. 2026
James had 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, but Antetokoumpo got the best of the top scorer in NBA history at crunch time.
—CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
The guild nominees and the BAFTA longlista have narrowed the field to a degree, but with so many people in town and so little time to get them in front of Oscar voters, this is crunch time, and campaign consultants are wasting no time doing just that.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2026
However, the 6-foot-4 senior guard, who picked up two early fouls and did not score in 10 minutes the initial half, also committed a pivotal mistake during crunch time that helped the Knights hold off the Jayhawks 81-75.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crunch time
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crunch time
Noun
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As Russia reduced flows, prices spiked, pushing up energy bills and helping fuel a cost of living crisis.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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Anger among Labour lawmakers about Mandelson escalated into a crisis for Starmer that could yet end his leadership.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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After Mike Vrabel was fired as the head coach in Tennessee, Kuhr spent the 2024 season as a defensive assistant with the Giants before Vrabel re-hired him in New England as his inside linebackers coach.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
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After last season’s 7-5 finish, head coach Brennan Marion left to become Colorado’s OC.—
Jason Kirk,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Washington Post laid off about one in three employees across the company Wednesday morning, dealing another big blow to a newsroom that has reached a breaking point.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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Given that Brown first played for Patriots coach Mike Vrabel in Tennessee, New England will be a destination to watch if Brown’s time in Philadelphia reaches a breaking point.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Charlotte Hornets big man reached a boiling point with Detroit’s Jalen Duren on Monday night and simply had enough.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Feb. 2026
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Over 30 years ago, Los Angeles reached a boiling point following the acquittal of four police officers who brutally beat Rodney King.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The incident became a flash point in ongoing debates over whether immigration officials had gone too far in detaining a young boy.—
Alicia Victoria Lozano,
NBC news,
6 Feb. 2026
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Minneapolis has become a flash point for clashes between federal immigration enforcement agents and agitators, particularly after the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crunch time.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crunch%20time. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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