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
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of crunch time
That means getting stops at crunch time.
—
Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
The Lightning enjoyed crunch time to clinch another league title.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 29 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for crunch time
Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
The Lightning enjoyed crunch time to clinch another league title.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 29 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for crunch time
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crunch time
Noun
-
Meanwhile, the property sector has entered its fifth year of crisis with sales and investment continuing to slump, dragging the economy and weighing down consumer confidence as well as spending.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The police department's crisis management group, which includes members of the SWAT team and crisis negotiations team, responded to the scene as well.—
Joe Brandt,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Later in the half, acting head coach Jacque Vaughn, who also stepped in to coach earlier this year when Self missed a game due to a health scare, received a technical.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
What was the breaking point in both of those relationships?—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Our old country roads weren’t built for this volume, and the strain is reaching a breaking point.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Over the last week, tensions between the Pentagon and artificial intelligence giant Anthropic have reached a boiling point.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
20 Feb. 2026
-
These tensions reportedly reached a boiling point last week when, by its own admission, the BNRA fatally shot a PDF fighter in a dispute over a weapon.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
How immigration enforcement unfolded in Minnesota Minnesota became a global flash point of tensions over arrests and deportations.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Tipping remains a flash point for many.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crunch time.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crunch%20time. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
