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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crunch
Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 10 Feb. 2026
To escape Earth’s energy crunch, SpaceX is taking AI to orbit, where near-constant solar energy replaces Earth’s strained power grids.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026
Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 31 Jan. 2026
Consider crunching the numbers, then, to see if any of these options fit your budget again.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crunch
Noun
Planning is now underway for that that project to relieve a looming parking crunch amid route expansion.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 10 Feb. 2026
To escape Earth’s energy crunch, SpaceX is taking AI to orbit, where near-constant solar energy replaces Earth’s strained power grids.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
And then there’s the cuteness of its progression indicator—verbs like crunching, moseying, perusing, reticulating, discombobulating and zesting.
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 31 Jan. 2026
Consider crunching the numbers, then, to see if any of these options fit your budget again.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crunch
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crunch
Noun
-
Joining Air New Zealand just as the COVID-19 pandemic loomed, Foran tackled a series of crises, from persistent shortages of engine components to the grounding of up to 11 aircraft.—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Several others were wounded and taken for treatment in Rahad, which faces severe medical supplies shortages like many areas in the Kordofan region, the statement said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The trek aimed to promote national healing, unity and compassion as the nation faces challenges of division, mental health crises and conflict both at home and abroad.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Each of these three leaders faces a crisis on the world stage but also with their own conscience.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But the rain calmed concerns that the state was heading into a severe dry spell, washed the soot and grit out of the air, and boosted conditions at Lake Tahoe area ski resorts.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Grit gave weight to feeling; feeling gave purpose to grit.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There should be empathy for his injury, but no sympathy for his lack of production.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
12 Feb. 2026
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Other experts said the subject’s movement could illustrate a lack of urgency.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Chinese companies have excelled at rapid deployment in consumer-facing applications and integrating AI into industrial use, said Deepika Giri, head of AI research at market research firm IDC.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
At one point, the individual appears to tilt their head away from a doorbell camera, hold a flashlight in their mouth and attempt to cover the lens with a gloved hand and what looked like part of a plant pulled from the yard.—
Bradford Betz , Matt Finn,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Some Walmart shoppers could have already seen egg prices drop at their local stores, according to USA TODAY's shopping cart tracker, powered by Bright Data, a data-scraping company.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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Yet Garner still had to scrape to get by while her career was gaining steam in the 1990s.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Allowing dirt and debris to sit on your floors can damage or scratch the surface during everyday use or when mopping.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Pavel Mintyukov, defenseman, B Olen Zellweger, defenseman, B Mintyukov was scratched for a stint and Zellweger has seen his power-play usage halved year-over-year.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crunch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crunch. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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