crouched

Definition of crouchednext
past tense of crouch
as in huddled
to lie low with the limbs close to the body the cat crouched in the bushes, waiting for the right moment to pounce on the chipmunk

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of crouched Inside a drop-like form with a long, straight tail is the lower part of a human body, crouched and holding its knees below a large sphere with an open perforation at the top. Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 19 Feb. 2026 The cameraman darted and crouched, arguably working harder than anyone else in the building to capture those breathless, in-your-face angles. Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026 Around the grave of one young man, his mother and grandmother quietly sob, his friends crouched down by the small mat of flower stems. Frederik Pleitgen, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026 Now, crouched behind a Ford Interceptor, Robbins took in the property. Scott Eden, Rolling Stone, 1 Feb. 2026 In the basement studio of the New Ballet in San Jose, a single figure crouched in a low lunge lifts his head, unfolding upwards like a flower turning toward a rising sun. Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026 Staffers crouched with towels on the baseline spent an undue portion of the night sprinting to various corners of the United Center court, mopping up sweat off the hardwood after players from both teams had tumbled and tripped and sprawled onto the floor. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026 Villa crouched in a 4-4-2 shape. Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026 Dan crouched beside her, not wanting to say any‑ thing, covering his eye with his hand. Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crouched
Verb
  • Most of the city’s population of about a half-million fled but many hid in basements, said a former actor who huddled for months with his parents, saying they were nearly killed by the Russian bombing.
    Yuras Karmanau, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Six of the skiers huddled in a makeshift shelter constructed with tarpaulin sheets.
    Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The images from the doorbell camera show the intruder approaching the alcoved entryway of Guthrie’s house with his head down, walking hunched over, as if trying to avoid his face being seen.
    Paige Williams, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Isabella threw the winning stone and hunched close to the ice, watching her brother sweep until their red stone knocked out the Americans’ yellow rock for a 6-5 victory.
    Julia Frankel, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Crouched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crouched. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.

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