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.

---

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

---

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 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

The country last week imposed temporary export curbs on naphtha because of a supply crunch as shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have stalled since late February.

From The Wall Street Journal

Whatever else was happening inside my body, that combination — warm spice, soft crumb, sugary crunch — felt like safety.

From Salon

Fusion company TAE Technologies was facing a funding crunch last year when it found an unlikely partner.

From The Wall Street Journal

Experts have said larger airlines will generally have more options to deal with the impact of the energy crunch.

From BBC

Related Words

• crisis
• difficulty
• trouble