crunch
UK: krʌntʃ | US: krʌntʃ
v. to crush or grind something noisily with the teeth
v. to process or analyze large amounts of data
n. a noisy sound of crushing or chewing
n. (informal) a critical moment or decisive situation
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The word "crunch" is onomatopoeic, mimicking the sound of something being crushed or chewed. Its structure reflects the abrupt, harsh noise associated with crushing actions. While it lacks classical morphemes, its phonetic composition (cr- for sharp sounds + -unch for resonant closure) reinforces its auditory symbolism. Over time, it expanded metaphorically to describe data processing ("number crunching") and high-pressure situations ("budget crunch").
She could hear the crunch of leaves under her boots.
The computer crunched the numbers in seconds.
He crunched on an apple during the meeting.
The team faced a crunch before the deadline.
The icy snow crunched beneath the tires.