crunch

[ kruhnch ]

/ krʌntʃ /

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See synonyms for: crunch / crunching on Thesaurus.com

Definition of crunch

verb (used with object)

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

to crush or grind noisily.

to tighten or squeeze financially: The administration's policy seems to crunch the economy in order to combat inflation.

verb (used without object)

to chew with a crushing sound.

to produce, or proceed with, a crushing noise.

noun

an act or sound of crunching.

a shortage or reduction of something needed or wanted: the energy crunch.

distress or depressed conditions due to such a shortage or reduction: a budget crunch.

a critical or dangerous situation: When the crunch comes, just do your best.

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Idioms about crunch

crunch numbers, Computers.

to perform a great many numerical calculations or extensive manipulations of numerical data.
to process a large amount of data.

Also craunch.

Origin of crunch

1795–1805; blend of craunch and crush

OTHER WORDS FROM crunch

crunch·a·ble, adjective

Words nearby crunch

crump, crumpet, crumple, crumpled, crumple zones, crunch, cruncher, crunchie, crunch numbers, crunch time, crunchy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use crunch in a sentence

There was, however, that pleasant, satisfying crunch, like taking a chunk out of a perfectly crisp apple, and that miniscule bit of toasted, sometimes sweet, sometimes salty, flavor mixed in with a slurry of desiccated rice matter.
The Rise and Fall of the Rice Cake, America’s One-Time Favorite Health Snack|Brenna Houck|September 17, 2020|Eater
Stepien earlier had slashed spending on television ads, fearing a cash crunch that could leave the campaign in financial trouble in its final 30 days.
Trump and his campaign try to allay concerns about trailing Biden in television ads|Michael Scherer, Josh Dawsey|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
Ziff Davis, which owns publications including PC Mag and Mashable, saw the strong performance they’ve seen on products such as laptops continue, even amid an economic crunch, vp of partner development Jessica Spira said.
Publishers prep for back-to- school bump as traditional shopping models and items shift due to uncertain return this fall|Max Willens|July 29, 2020|Digiday
These hundred-million-dollar machines usually run on hundreds of thousands of processors, occupy warehouse floors, gobble up copious amounts of energy, and crunch numbers at an ungodly pace.
The World’s New Fastest Supercomputer Is an Exascale Machine for AI|Jason Dorrier|June 25, 2020|Singularity Hub

Doritos are prototyped in a lab by material scientists looking at different dimensions of like crunch and torsion and all these other sort of mechanical properties.
The Future of Meat (Ep. 367 Rebroadcast)|Stephen J. Dubner|August 29, 2019|Freakonomics
The low crunch of packed dirt against rubber tire was overwhelmed by the ragged explosions of automatic gunfire.
A Belgian Prince, Gorillas, Guerrillas & the Future of the Congo|Nina Strochlic|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The stories are told through the eyes of two fishing guides, Crunch and Des, with a spare grace and humor that stand strong.
Book Bag: Overlooked Classic Books From the Sunshine State|Randy Wayne White|September 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The tomatoes' crunch and tang add new dimensions of delight.
The Ultimate Southern Cheeseburger Created in South Carolina|Jane & Michael Stern|August 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The dogs have been fried in soybean oil until their exterior skin begins to develop a sensuous crunch.
The Jersey Shore’s Biggest Weiners Are at Jimmy Buff’s|Jane & Michael Stern|June 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Look for at least three grams of fiber and three grams of protein for a more satisfying crunch.
How to Buy Gluten-Free Without Getting Duped|DailyBurn|April 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The shouts of teamsters and the crack of whips punctuated the crunch of wheels as our wagons swiftly swung again into stockade.
The Way of a Man|Emerson Hough
A crunch of footsteps could be heard outside, cautiously approaching the barn door.
Motor Matt's Mystery|Stanley R. Matthews
The lawyer took a cup, sugared it, and drank it, after having crumbled into it a little cake which was too hard to crunch.
The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Volume VIII.|Guy de Maupassant
There was a sickening crunch of bone as giant fangs closed on the face of the struggling figure, and Mog, the sullen, was no more.
Warrior of the Dawn|Howard Carleton Browne
I can feel my bones crunch in their big mouths and see them lick their chops after they have eaten us.
Billy Whiskers' Adventures|Frances Trego Montgomery

British Dictionary definitions for crunch

crunch

/ (krʌntʃ) /

verb

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

to make or cause to make a crisp or brittle soundthe snow crunched beneath his feet

noun

the sound or act of crunching

short for abdominal crunch

the crunch informal the critical moment or situation

adjective

informal critical; decisivecrunch time

Also called: craunch

Derived forms of crunch

crunchable, adjectivecrunchy, adjectivecrunchily, adverbcrunchiness, noun

Word Origin for crunch

C19: changed (through influence of munch) from earlier craunch, of imitative origin

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

crunch

Definition of crunch

Idioms about crunch

Origin of crunch

OTHER WORDS FROM crunch

Words nearby crunch

Words related to crunch

How to use crunch in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for crunch

Derived forms of crunch

Word Origin for crunch