crunch

(noun) the sound of something crunching. Example: "He heard the crunch of footsteps on the gravel path."

(noun) a critical situation that arises because of a shortage (as a shortage of time or money or resources). Examples: "An end-of-the year crunch." "A financial crunch."

(noun) the act of crushing. Synonyms: crush, compaction.

(verb) make a crushing noise. Synonyms: scranch, scraunch, crackle. Example: "His shoes were crunching on the gravel."

(verb) press or grind with a crushing noise. Synonyms: cranch, craunch, grind.

(verb) chew noisily. Synonyms: munch. Example: "The children crunched the celery sticks."

(verb) reduce to small pieces or particles by pounding or abrading. Synonyms: grind, mash, bray, comminute. Examples: "Grind the spices in a mortar." "Mash the garlic."