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

In particular, the supply crunch for memory chips has weakened the smartphone market, which could limit the company’s short-term growth, Morgan Stanley argued.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

They started to relent in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sparked a global energy crunch.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

Long Beach Opera had a hugely successful season last year promoting Pauline Oliveros, but now faces a budget crunch.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Top with crushed peanuts or fried shallots for crunch.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

Sitting on the stump, my back to the swamp and the village, I was crying aloud, so that I did not even hear the crunch of her galoshes.

From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson

Related Words

• crisis
• difficulty
• trouble