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
As all of Madison Square Garden rose to its feet to cheer the Knicks’ captain in crunch time, Brunson connected on a side-step two to tie the game at 104 with 22.7 seconds left on the clock.
—
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2025
With Butler now out of the fold, Herro will see the ball even more in hands, with little doubt that the ball will go through him in crunch time.
—Dj Siddiqi, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
The second unit’s 23-6 fourth-quarter run provided the cushion needed to survive the Celtics’ crunch time turnaround, with just enough moments from the Sixers’ stars to close it out.
—Jared Weiss, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
The Celtics’ struggles haven’t been limited to crunch time, however.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crunch time
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2025
With Butler now out of the fold, Herro will see the ball even more in hands, with little doubt that the ball will go through him in crunch time.
—Dj Siddiqi, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
The second unit’s 23-6 fourth-quarter run provided the cushion needed to survive the Celtics’ crunch time turnaround, with just enough moments from the Sixers’ stars to close it out.
—Jared Weiss, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024
The Celtics’ struggles haven’t been limited to crunch time, however.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crunch time
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crunch time
Noun
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This definitional crisis echoes previous technology buzzwords that became diluted through overuse and marketing hype.—
Luis E. Romero,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
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Sims said another valuable discovery was better communicating to the public that information during a public health crisis can change rapidly.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 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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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
Noun
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Their relationship came to a breaking point when another student witnessed them kissing in January 2017.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
15 Mar. 2025
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Others use it as a breaking point for transformation.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In previous seasons, the tension rises in each episode, with secrets uncovered and questions raised, before things ultimately hit a boiling point in the series finale, which has been known to be explosive.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
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According to sources, contenders to succeed Demna at Balenciaga could include Pieter Mulier, who has heated up Alaïa to the boiling point, and Daniel Roseberry, so far the most successful creative director at Schiaparelli, having led the couture house into ready-to-wear.—
Miles Socha,
WWD,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Maritime flash points Besides Taiwan, the U.S. and China remain fundamentally at odds over the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost entirely as its own despite an opposing 2016 international court ruling.—
Brad Dress,
The Hill,
7 Jan. 2025
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The report identified specific flash points, including cross-border water tensions, and said some countries could experience instability, including from straining food and energy systems.—
Somini Sengupta,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crunch time.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crunch%20time. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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