crunch

Fetched 2026-10-26 (cache).

Synonyms: craunch, scrunch, clunch, crutch, crinch, runch, cronch, cranch, cunch, brunch, trunch

Antonyms: craunch, scrunch, clunch, crutch, crinch, runch, cronch, cranch, cunch, brunch, trunch

Related words from Datamuse; suggestions, not definitions.

Verb

1. To [[crush]] something, especially food, with a [[noisy]] [[crackling]] sound.
2. To be [[crush]]ed with a [[noisy]] [[crackling]] sound.
3. {{rfdef|en}}
4. {{lb|en|slang}} To calculate or otherwise process (e.g. ''to crunch [[number]]s'': to perform [[mathematical]] [[calculation]]s). Presumably from the sound made by mechanical calculators.
5. To grind or press with violence and noise.
6. To emit a grinding or crunching noise.
7. {{lb|en|automotive|transitive}} To cause the [[gears]] to emit a crunching sound by releasing the [[clutch]] before the gears are properly synchronised.
8. {{lb|en|computing|transitive}} To [[compress]] (data) using a particular [[algorithm]], so that it can be restored by [[decrunch]]ing.
9. {{lb|en|software development|slang|transitive}} To make employees work [[overtime]] in order to meet a [[deadline]] in the development of a project.

Noun

1. A [[noisy]] [[crackling]] sound; the [[sound]] usually associated with [[crunching]].
2. A [[critical]] moment or event.
3. {{lb|en|exercise}} A form of [[abdominal]] [[exercise]], based on a [[sit-up]] but in which the lower back remains in contact with the floor.
4. {{lb|en|chiefly|US}} The symbol {{m|mul|#}}.
5. {{lb|en|music}} Moderate [[distortion]].

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wiktionary dump) · cached copy, not a rewrite.