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
Home crowds airing their frustration is nothing new, and the tension, especially for those teams chasing the title or trying to avoid relegation, will only increase as the season races towards crunch time.
—
Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
That means getting stops at crunch time.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
The Lightning enjoyed crunch time to clinch another league title.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 29 Jan. 2026
Ball posted 15 points to go with four rebounds and a pair of assists in 21 minutes, but there wasn’t much of a need for him in crunch time versus Golden State because the Hornets couldn’t keep pace with the Warriors.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crunch time
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Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
That means getting stops at crunch time.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
The Lightning enjoyed crunch time to clinch another league title.
—Dan Albano, Oc Register, 29 Jan. 2026
Ball posted 15 points to go with four rebounds and a pair of assists in 21 minutes, but there wasn’t much of a need for him in crunch time versus Golden State because the Hornets couldn’t keep pace with the Warriors.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crunch time
Cite this Entry
“Crunch time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crunch%20time. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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