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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crunch time
The Celtics wilted offensively in the second half and in crunch time as bricks piled up.
—
Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2024
Congress is in crunch time to keep the federal government operating into the new year.
—Anna Spiegel, Axios, 13 Dec. 2024
Boston made just one shot over the final 4:51 of the game – a Tatum dunk with 1:41 to play – but missed their other 10 shots in crunch time.
—Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2024
Come crunch time in the face-to-face meeting, Bevilaqua shockingly pulls out the piece and whacks Chickie.
—Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 17 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for crunch time 
Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2024
Congress is in crunch time to keep the federal government operating into the new year.
—Anna Spiegel, Axios, 13 Dec. 2024
Boston made just one shot over the final 4:51 of the game – a Tatum dunk with 1:41 to play – but missed their other 10 shots in crunch time.
—Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2024
Come crunch time in the face-to-face meeting, Bevilaqua shockingly pulls out the piece and whacks Chickie.
—Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 17 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for crunch time
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crunch time
Noun
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The case raises concerns about whether officers receive sufficient instruction on identifying and responding to medical crises.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
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The Trump administration says dismantling the agency is grounded in efforts to save government money, though some experts have warned that freezing its funds will intensify global humanitarian crises.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Now, Maineri heads into year 12 with 18 pitchers on his roster, hoping that rising junior Caleb Gilbert and sophomore-to-be Zach Hess will emerge at the top of the pitching rotation.—
John Roach,
NOLA.com,
19 July 2017
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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
Noun
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While the woman and her younger sister initially complied with this rule to remain at peace, the situation has now reached a breaking point.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
5 Feb. 2025
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Institutions like Red Lobster and TGI Fridays filed for bankruptcy last year; Denny’s and Applebee’s announced major store closings; and customers reached their breaking point with McDonald’s, Burger King and KFC’s prices.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Their sibling tension reached a boiling point at a recent family dinner after her parents announced plans for a vacation to celebrate their anniversary.—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
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The conflict between Brigham Young and Jim Bridger has also been heating up to a boiling point that’s sure to end in violence.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The move comes after Republican officials ramped up efforts to turn the 2021 order into a partisan flash point ahead of the 2024 election.—
Hansi Lo Wang,
NPR,
20 Jan. 2025
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The plight of the Palestinians will serve as a flash point, a symbol of inequities in the prevailing international order and, in the eyes of many across the developing world, the unfinished work of decolonization.—
Matias Spektor,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near crunch time
Cite this Entry
“Crunch time.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crunch%20time. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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