1
as in shortage
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crisis
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
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Recent Examples of crunch
Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2025
These fears may not pan out nationwide, or at all, but the coolant crunch is already driving up costs and delaying installations as manufacturers hike prices.
—Jing Feng, NBC news, 15 May 2025
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
Researchers and economists crunching long-term risk data may think the price for a ground-floor home on a canal is too high.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for crunch
Noun
Sesame Workshop has been seeking a new home for the show since the HBO talks ended (some of the Sesame Street library will remain on HBO Max), and the nonprofit has faced a budget crunch, forcing layoffs earlier this year.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 19 May 2025
These fears may not pan out nationwide, or at all, but the coolant crunch is already driving up costs and delaying installations as manufacturers hike prices.
—Jing Feng, NBC news, 15 May 2025
Verb
The flapjack was fluffy, the taters were crunchy and buttery, the chorizo had a spicy kick, and the pungent sourdough bread crunched.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
Researchers and economists crunching long-term risk data may think the price for a ground-floor home on a canal is too high.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for crunch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crunch
Noun
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At the time Volkswagen was the first automaker to warn of a global chip shortage.—
Steve Banker,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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Representatives of California and six other states have been negotiating long-term plans for reducing water use after 2026, when the rules expire, to deal with the ongoing shortages.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
Noun
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Since returning to office, Trump has moved with speed and severity to eliminate legal immigration pathways, particularly humanitarian protections for those who fled crises abroad.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 May 2025
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Both sides of the political spectrum are using the term constitutional crisis.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
26 May 2025
Verb
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For many people, grit – the perseverance and passion for long-term goals – is a virtue.—
Darlingtina Esiaka,
The Conversation,
8 May 2025
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After sweeping aside Monza in their first Coppa Italia outing, their road to the final had not been easier, gritting out an impressive win over Atalanta in the quarterfinals before beating an Empoli side who had eliminated Juventus in the previous round.—
Adam Digby,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Noun
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After two days exploring Barcelona, Spain, Napton was surprised at the lack of political discourse.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
26 May 2025
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Morehouse graduates applaud the honor Part of the tragedy of Hubert’s lynching was a lack of awareness surrounding his story among Morehouse graduates until only recently, several alumni said.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
25 May 2025
Noun
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Delimitros said one of the truck’s side view mirrors struck her in the head, causing minor injuries.—
David Hernandez,
sandiegouniontribune.com,
19 July 2017
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Cal Fire representatives said the current parking mess has already impacted them because the driveway to their station enters the highway not far from the trail head.—
J. Harry Jones,
Ramona Sentinel,
19 July 2017
Verb
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To determine whether demodex mites are the cause of skin irritations, dermatologists can tape or lightly scrape the top layer of skin and place the sample under a microscope, Ricardo-Gonzalez said.—
Kameryn Griesser,
CNN Money,
30 May 2025
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In the nine games since, Soto has scraped together just four hits in 34 at bats.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
Verb
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But the car industry has not scratched the surface of these vehicles' potential.—
Emily Forlini,
PC Magazine,
28 May 2025
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First-timers typically make a beeline for Madrid and Barcelona, but even then, most people will only scratch the surface of these cities and their surroundings.—
Siobhan Reid,
Vogue,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crunch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crunch. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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