What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
crunched
Example
The leaves crunched under my feet as I walked through the forest. [crunched: verb]
Example
He crunched on the ice cubes in his drink, making a loud noise. [crunched: verb]
Example
I crunched my hand in the door and it hurt. [crunched: past tense]
crushed
Example
The box was crushed under the weight of the heavy books. [crushed: past participle]
Example
She felt crushed when she didn't get the job she wanted. [crushed: adjective]
Example
The machine crushed the rocks into tiny pieces. [crushed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Crushed is more commonly used than crunched in everyday language. Crushed is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while crunched is less common and typically used in specific contexts related to sound or sensation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between crunched and crushed?
Both crunched and crushed are informal words, but crushed may be slightly more formal due to its wider range of contexts and versatility.