1
a
: a support typically fitting under the armpit for use by the disabled in walking
b
: a source or means of support or assistance that is relied on heavily or excessively
They refuse to take any pills. They don't want to use drugs as a crutch.—
Maya Pines
Maya PinesEven many atheists would agree that believing that God cares about you or that your life is part of a cosmic plan can be a powerful source of hope (or, to put it pejoratively, a crutch).—Virginia Postrel
Virginia Postrel2
: a forked leg rest constituting the pommel of a sidesaddle
3
: the crotch of a human being or an animal
4
: a forked support
Examples of crutch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
Katie would need crutches for 15 weeks and need to be dePaddyted to physical therapy, twice a week appointments and daily at-home exercises.
—Outside Online, 30 Oct. 2024
Amanda Hess, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2019
Thorson, now a grad student holding an undergraduate degree in communication studies, remains the relentlessly positive team-first guy who insisted on crutching to the NU sideline to watch the second half of the Music City Bowl.
—Teddy Greenstein, chicagotribune.com, 2 July 2018
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Noun
In the next scene, Athena is finally using a crutch at a hearing to determine Sparks’ punishment.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
Katie would need crutches for 15 weeks and need to be dePaddyted to physical therapy, twice a week appointments and daily at-home exercises.
—Outside Online, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
At 2:45, Maddow crutched in silently, stood with her back to her staff and observed the list, drawing a thick black line next to topics that interested her.
—Amanda Hess, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2019
Thorson, now a grad student holding an undergraduate degree in communication studies, remains the relentlessly positive team-first guy who insisted on crutching to the NU sideline to watch the second half of the Music City Bowl.
—Teddy Greenstein, chicagotribune.com, 2 July 2018
See all Example Sentences for crutch
Dictionary Entries Near crutch
Cite this Entry
“Crutch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crutch. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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