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
August is on pace to be the Yankees' worst month, and with two teams, the Cleveland Guardians and the Texas Rangers, within three games of the final spot, the Yankees are entering crunch time.
—
Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
But a series of lousy draft picks and a lack of an attractive infrastructure — that imaginary permanent practice facility is being built any day now! — have kept them from acquiring the sort of superstars that carry teams in crunch time, the kind of difference-makers this town deserves.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025
Trump’s trip to the Capitol underscores that the GOP is entering crunch time with the reconciliation package, which contains key pieces of Trump’s agenda on taxes, border funding and spending.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 20 May 2025
But with the game on the line in crunch time, Anunoby forced a Cunningham mid-range miss, Bridges forced a Cunningham turnover on a drive to the rim, then Anunoby forced another mid-range miss on the game’s final possession.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crunch time
Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
But a series of lousy draft picks and a lack of an attractive infrastructure — that imaginary permanent practice facility is being built any day now! — have kept them from acquiring the sort of superstars that carry teams in crunch time, the kind of difference-makers this town deserves.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025
Trump’s trip to the Capitol underscores that the GOP is entering crunch time with the reconciliation package, which contains key pieces of Trump’s agenda on taxes, border funding and spending.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 20 May 2025
But with the game on the line in crunch time, Anunoby forced a Cunningham mid-range miss, Bridges forced a Cunningham turnover on a drive to the rim, then Anunoby forced another mid-range miss on the game’s final possession.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crunch time
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crunch time
Noun
-
Aid groups say the Israeli military continues to restrict access to food, water, and humanitarian aid, worsening a crisis already marked by starvation and displacement.—
Kaity Kline,
NPR,
18 Sep. 2025
-
During the 2008 financial crisis, Biglari seized on shareholder anger and economic uncertainty.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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During Tuesday's media availability, Swinney addressed concerns about Clemson's 1-2 start by pointing to the track record since he was named head coach in 2009.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That line of questioning pushed the woman past her breaking point.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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The 75-year-old daughter of Sam Walton, the late Walmart founder who turned a five-and-dime store in rural Arkansas into the world’s largest company by revenue, thinks the US is very close to that breaking point.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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If Brisson is indeed speaking for his client, then there is reason to believe that Crosby’s frustration with the current state of the Penguins is at a boiling point.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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Only, his side of the story suggests that this summer was the boiling point of a longer game, dating back to last summer when contract promises were reneged upon.—
Harry De Cosemo,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Early on, Feld became Chicago’s most divisive restaurant, a flash point for critics of highfalutin many-course tasting menus.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Sep. 2025
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This is just the latest flash point in a controversial career for Suárez.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crunch time.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crunch%20time. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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