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
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of crunch
Rebecca Martinson, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2024
An aged gouda, with its caramel notes and subtle crunch enhances the wines ripe berry flavors.
—Alissa Fitzgerald, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Dec. 2024
Numbers may be higher, though since the numbers were only crunched through November.
—Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for crunch 
Noun
Each pack comes with 10 delicious flavors, including heavenly caramel, cinnamon hazelnut, peanut butter crunch, and more.
—Rebecca Martinson, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2024
An aged gouda, with its caramel notes and subtle crunch enhances the wines ripe berry flavors.
—Alissa Fitzgerald, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
The fourth album by these Philadelphia punks is a pristine work in the Sleater-Kinney tradition of petulance: Noise and vulnerability surge in exquisite counterpoint; guitars crunch as satisfyingly as an autumn leaf under one’s heel.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Dec. 2024
Numbers may be higher, though since the numbers were only crunched through November.
—Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for crunch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crunch
Noun
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The history makes clear that looming mineral shortages ought not be a cause for concern.Duncan Money / Made by History, TIME, 8 Jan. 2025
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The deluge of immigration that followed has strained Canada’s welfare state and exacerbated the housing shortage.The Editors, National Review, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Across the last two decades, America has been experiencing a notable maternal health crisis.Cynthia McEwen, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
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In addition to defending these policies, Newsom is prioritizing urgent action on the state's ongoing wildfire crisis.Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
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So Harris will grip, grin, and grit on Friday, and for the next 17 days.Philip Elliott, TIME, 2 Jan. 2025
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Create Your Proof of Work The bitcoin community values action over talk, grit over appearances, and results over ideas.Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Earlier this season, Kody and Robyn got into an intense argument about Kody's lack of presence in his kids' lives.Hannah Sacks, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025
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The Change Healthcare attack was blamed, in part, on the lack of such a control.Tina Reed, Axios, 13 Jan. 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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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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On Monday, MoDOT crews continued to treat, salt and scrape the roadways.Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2025
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Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often and making sure to scrape the bottom of the pot to keep the mixture from scorching, until the mixture reaches 230 degrees, about 30 minutes.Kelly Brant, arkansasonline.com, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Yet, these impressive journeys only scratch the surface of their full capabilities.Scott Travers, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
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Graham, the head of U.S. operations for the pet-rehoming platform Lancaster Puppies, said that, without mental engagement, cats can quickly become bored, which often leads to undesirable behaviors such as scratching furniture.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Crunch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crunch. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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