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credit crunch

British  

noun

  1. informal a period during which there is a sudden reduction in the availability of credit from banks and other lenders

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But prior tightening, a credit crunch and poorly timed fiscal moves turned a temporary disruption into a recession.

From MarketWatch • May 22, 2026

The credit crunch came this year because Medallia’s loans contained provisions requiring Thoma Bravo to invest more in the business if it failed to meet earnings targets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Problems in private credit aren’t so widespread as to cause a massive credit crunch and downturn in the economy and markets.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

That was more than double any other response, including fears of a possible credit crunch or a broadening of the wars in Ukraine or the Middle East.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 25, 2024

More frequent are a recession, a slump, a credit crunch, a slowdown, a growth recession and other less exotic variants.

From After the Rain : how the West lost the East by Vaknin, Samuel

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