Thesaurus results for CRUNCH TIME

crunch time

noun

Definition of crunch time

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

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 With the games now having the kind of stakes that Thursday’s contest lacked, that leaky defense – especially in crunch time toward the end of matches – is the possible Achilles heel for this team. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 26 June 2026 Brunson remains the go-to scorer and respected leader whose unflappability in crunch time, even during his down games, is the ultimate separator. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 14 June 2026 Knicks star veteran guard Jalen Brunson often prevailed in crunch time, while Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox often missed key shots and made costly mistakes. — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026 In their four postseasons with Brunson, the Knicks are 18-10 in games that have gone to crunch time. — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for crunch time

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crunch time

Noun

These micro-drones usually crash in low-visibility crisis zones where dust, smoke, or pitch darkness blinds cameras.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026
Told in a comic, vibrant tone, this picaresque story follows the very wealthy Taiwanese-Chinese Wang family, who suddenly lose their fortune in the 2008 financial crisis and embark on a California-to-New York road trip, in a final bid for salvation.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of crisis

Noun

What may have surprised even modern sports fans, however, was Ole Miss' suing two of its former players who followed former Rebels coach Lane Kiffin to his new position as head football coach at LSU.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
The 12-miles a week average is double the pace that the agency's head, Rodney Scott, cited earlier this year.

— CBS News, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of head

Noun

Keep in mind, there is a breaking point.

— Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Three of the Netherlands’ four goals came from this method, as Gakpo, Dumfries and Summerville stretched the Swedish defence to breaking point and opened up additional space in the middle.

— Carl Anka, New York Times, 20 June 2026

Definition of breaking point

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crunch (on)

crunch time

crunch times

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“Crunch time.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crunch%20time. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of crunch time

noun

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