hunker down
verb
hunkered down; hunkering down; hunkers down
chiefly US
1
: to lower the body to the ground by bending the legs
The hikers hunkered down under a cliff until the storm passed.
2
: to stay in a place for a period of time
The leaders hunkered down at a country estate for difficult peace negotiations.
Examples of hunker down in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With complimentary babysitting and free extra cots and cribs standard with any stay, families can hunker down and know they will be treated to island hospitality while being able to take advantage of snorkeling, scuba diving, nature walks, and beachfront cottages.
—
Chelsea Adams, USA Today, 20 June 2026
As the International Monetary Fund’s representative in Tajikistan in the 1990s, Gilmore hunkered down in his office for three days as a militia advanced on the capital city of Dushanbe.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
The tornado ripped the roof off an auto shop as workers hunkered down inside.
—Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 10 June 2026
As the International Monetary Fund’s representative in Tajikistan in the 1990s, Gilmore hunkered down in his office for three days as a militia advanced on the capital city of Dushanbe.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hunker down
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Chelsea Adams, USA Today, 20 June 2026
As the International Monetary Fund’s representative in Tajikistan in the 1990s, Gilmore hunkered down in his office for three days as a militia advanced on the capital city of Dushanbe.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 June 2026
The tornado ripped the roof off an auto shop as workers hunkered down inside.
—Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 10 June 2026
As the International Monetary Fund’s representative in Tajikistan in the 1990s, Gilmore hunkered down in his office for three days as a militia advanced on the capital city of Dushanbe.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hunker down
Cite this Entry
“Hunker down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hunker%20down. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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