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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crunch
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
The real trick is using panko instead of Italian breadcrumbs, which gives the chicken more of a crunch.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025
Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
Jaine Mehring, a local advocate for preservation and smaller square footage who has been crunching these numbers, tells me.
—Stephanie Krikorian, Curbed, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for crunch 
Noun
Inspired by yellow and green Sriracha sauces, its tangy and sweet flavors combine with just a dash of heat to bring a bold twist to Sriracha and a satisfying crunch to every bite.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
The real trick is using panko instead of Italian breadcrumbs, which gives the chicken more of a crunch.
—Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025
Verb
The games industry is infamous for tales of crunching, a practice where developers are compelled to sacrifice their personal lives for their companies.
—Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
Jaine Mehring, a local advocate for preservation and smaller square footage who has been crunching these numbers, tells me.
—Stephanie Krikorian, Curbed, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for crunch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crunch
Noun
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Local leaders hope the recruitment campaign will help attract candidates amid a nationwide shortage of doctors.—
Daniel Chang,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2025
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But if the tariffs cause local shortages, prices could spike by more than 30 cents per gallon.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2025
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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Bird flu:Is chicken meat next for shortages and soaring prices with egg crisis?—
Mike Snider,
USA TODAY,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Sometimes being a good partner means putting on formal attire and gritting one’s teeth through caustic toasts.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2025
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Clean, however, is another matter—dust bunnies proliferate around the feet of a couple of bookcases, and dirt and grit line the bottom edges of the front door and the bathroom door.—
Han Ong,
The New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Though Gen X has trouble accepting change and transition, Gen Z is also firmly out of touch with some of life’s realities simply due to their lack of experience.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2025
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The lack of communication about this data and information gap also disrupts the relationship between the CDC and its partners, Shah says.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Verb
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After adding all of the sugar, pause the mixer and scrape down any sugar stuck to the side of the bowl and the whisk.—
Martin Sorge,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2025
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Those who find residue on their body can rinse the area with fresh water and scrape it off.—
Nathan Diller,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Vintage nonstick pots and pans were typically made with toxic materials that could be more hazardous if the cookware item is scratched or nicked.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2025
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Carson Soucy was healthy scratched for the first time this season, with Elias Pettersson, the defenceman, drawing into the lineup instead.—
Harman Dayal,
The Athletic,
3 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Crunch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crunch. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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