1
as in shortages
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
a severe energy crunch that resulted in long lines at the gas pumps
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crises
a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action
a player who's always good in a crunch, like when we need a goal to win the soccer match
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 crunches
Joseph Lustberg, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Time crunches led the team of four — including production assistant Chaandmon Croft — to streamline the pilot process so other departments could quickly work with material amassed between takes that could start and restart from various points in a song.
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
Once your body fat decreases, strengthening your abs with exercises like planks and crunches will make your body look more defined.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 28 Aug. 2025
But composability also means the failure of one key protocol can rapidly cascade through many others, creating a chain reaction of liquidity crunches or asset collapses.
—Mark R. Weaver, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
But Wayne Winegarden, senior fellow at the Pacific Research Institute, a Pasadena think tank that espouses free-market solutions to policy matters, criticized the report, saying the recommendations would cost billions when California faces chronic annual budget crunches.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
After the Fed’s 2008–2009 cuts, many small businesses expanded aggressively, only to face cash crunches.
—Joseph Lustberg, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Time crunches led the team of four — including production assistant Chaandmon Croft — to streamline the pilot process so other departments could quickly work with material amassed between takes that could start and restart from various points in a song.
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
Once your body fat decreases, strengthening your abs with exercises like planks and crunches will make your body look more defined.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 28 Aug. 2025
But composability also means the failure of one key protocol can rapidly cascade through many others, creating a chain reaction of liquidity crunches or asset collapses.
—Mark R. Weaver, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
But Wayne Winegarden, senior fellow at the Pacific Research Institute, a Pasadena think tank that espouses free-market solutions to policy matters, criticized the report, saying the recommendations would cost billions when California faces chronic annual budget crunches.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crunches
Noun
-
By last winter, after significant reconstruction, rolling blackouts were rare, and power shortages were mostly localized.—
Ken Silverstein,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
With rising costs, labor shortages and a push for more sustainable building methods, this kind of breakthrough could shape the future of American neighborhoods.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Prominent global automakers showcased their latest models at the Munich car show, including new EVs and lower-cost vehicles, as Europe's auto sector faces crises ranging from tariff hikes to rising costs and rivalry with Chinese firms on their home turf.—
Bernadette Baum,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Baerbock takes the gavel at a tumultuous moment for the United Nations, with mounting global crises, stalled Security Council action, financial strain, and conflicts around the world.—
Stéphanie Fillion,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The spiral layer also provides a deeper exfoliation that scrapes off dead cells, resulting in smoother, silkier skin.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Aug. 2025
-
The awfulness of it scrapes my veins, turning everything orange and raw.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
This absence — of God, of love, of plain community spirit — is a metaphor for the whole parish, where everyone is defined by their own lacks and deficiencies, the weaknesses that cause Wicks to despise them and vow to bring down them all.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
6 Sep. 2025
-
But Davies’s film has a patience and lightness of touch that Scorsese’s lacks, as well as a note-perfect lead in Gillian Anderson.—
Elle Carroll,
Vulture,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Her comments come as Democrats face a leadership crossroads in Washington, with long-serving figures under scrutiny and younger candidates pushing for change.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Continue reading … SEN STEVE DAINES, SEN ANGUS KING – America's national parks are at a crossroads.—
,
FOXNews.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Getty Images The PGA Tour heads to Napa, California, this week, where ten of the twelve United States Ryder Cup members will compete in the Procore Championship at the North Course at Silverado Resort.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Two of the campgrounds are open year-round, and the facilities have restrooms (with modern rain shower heads), firewood, a dump station, dog waste stations, and a comfort station.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crunches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crunches. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share