crunch

American  

[kruhnch] / krʌntʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to crush with the teeth; chew with a crushing noise.

2. to crush or grind noisily.

3. to tighten or squeeze financially.

   The administration's policy seems to crunch the economy in order to combat inflation.

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verb (used without object)

1. to chew with a crushing sound.

2. to produce, or proceed with, a crushing noise.

noun

1. an act or sound of crunching.

2. a shortage or reduction of something needed or wanted.

   the energy crunch.

3. distress or depressed conditions due to such a shortage or reduction.

   a budget crunch.

4. a critical or dangerous situation.

   When the crunch comes, just do your best.

idioms

1. crunch numbers,

   1. to perform a great many numerical calculations or extensive manipulations of numerical data.

   2. to process a large amount of data.

crunch British  

/ krʌntʃ /

verb

1. to bite or chew (crisp foods) with a crushing or crackling sound

2. to make or cause to make a crisp or brittle sound

   the snow crunched beneath his feet

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noun

1. the sound or act of crunching

2. short for abdominal crunch

3. informal the critical moment or situation

adjective

1. informal critical; decisive

   crunch time

Other Word Forms

• crunchable adjective
• crunchily adverb
• crunchiness noun
• crunchy adjective

Etymology

Origin of crunch

1795–1805; blend of craunch and crush

Example Sentences

That sums up how finely the takeover battle is poised heading into a crunch week.

From Barron's

It was a happy debut for Toulon wing Drean, who started the match making two crunching tackles and finished it with a try.

From Barron's

In some instances, rapid growth was fueled by supply crunches and migration trends.

From Barron's

Folks are simply craving more crunch in their lives.

From Salon

It’s about adding one point of richness, one spark of crunch, one salty edge that makes you want another bite.

From Salon

Related Words

• crisis
• difficulty
• trouble