crunch time

noun

: a critical moment or period (as near the end of a game) when decisive action is needed

Examples of crunch time in a Sentence

The team had trained well, but at crunch time they just couldn't perform. with only three minutes left in the game, it was definitely crunch time
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The best teams—and the best leaders—do more than show up in crunch time. Don Yaeger, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025 In crunch time, the Panthers continued to buckle down. Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 14 Mar. 2025 Without two primary ball handlers, the Kings offense turned isolation heavy in crunch time. Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025 In crunch time, especially in the semifinals and finals, anybody could easily see just how important those games were. Ryan Morik, Fox News, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crunch time

Word History

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crunch time was in 1933

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Cite this Entry

“Crunch time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crunch%20time. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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