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

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

Micron and its rivals have benefited greatly from a memory supply crunch that has sent product prices soaring.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

That could create a cash crunch if redemptions mount, though S&P found it had enough borrowing capacity and resources to offset that exposure.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

If you’re craving a bit of crunch on your freshly-baked muffins, skip the homemade streusel and sprinkle some chia seeds.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

I stomp through our eucalyptus forest, letting my feet come down hard on twisted pieces of bark and twigs, listening to the snap, the crunch, and the sounds I can control.

From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson

Related Words

• crisis
• difficulty
• trouble