HUNCH Synonyms: 114 Similar and Opposite Words

hunch 1 of 2

verb

ˈhənch

Definition of hunch

as in to crouch

to lie low with the limbs close to the body he hunched next to a bush to avoid being seen

Synonyms & Similar Words

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hunch

2 of 2

noun

as in theory

Related Words

as in hump

Related Words

as in idea

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Dissimilar Words

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 hunch

Verb

The performance seemed designed to suggest that, away from the cameras, the Russian leader spends his time hunched over maps of the battlefield. — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026 Roden-Reynolds, the epidemiologist Lea Hamner, and Virginia Barbatti, the executive director of a nonprofit called Tick Free Martha’s Vineyard, were hunched over their laptops at locations around the island, scrutinizing a map of enemy encampments. — Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Noun

Off a hunch, Mollick ran the story through Pangram, a program that detects AI writing with 99% accuracy. — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 May 2026 Over the past 15 years, researchers have made a big push to test these hunches in a systematic way, and the data on lighting proved significant. — Elizabeth Glazer, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hunch

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hunch

Verb

Muchová went up 3-1 early with a crouching forehand volley that just plopped inside the court, prompting applause from Gauff and a disbelieving shake of the head from Muchová.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 9 July 2026
Johansen, sporting an all-black outfit, crouches down next to him and sweetly rests her head on his shoulder.

— Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026

Definition of crouch

Noun

Los Angeles County prosecutors charged Jason Melara, Taylor and Johnson not only with his murder, but also the killing of Mario Melara under the theory that his death was provoked by the armed robbery of Aguilar.

— Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
In another discrepancy, Crump said that a witness reported Wells had planned to leave on the boat with his friends, contradicting the sheriff's theory.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026

Definition of theory

Noun

Their findings, some previously covered in Fortune, draw on a deep dataset spanning dozens of countries to confirm that ill-being is no longer hump-shaped in age — the young are now the most miserable cohort globally.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 July 2026
In fact, while sand traps aren’t overabundant, elevation changes, natural grass humps and, yes, some sand does challenge you most every hole.

— Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 18 June 2026

Definition of hump

Noun

Anna’s guess comes closest, and Ify’s is furthest, which Sam punctuates via the first instance of the song that defines this episode.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 July 2026
Whether the Cubs will bring in as many as three pitchers — maybe a starter and two relievers — is anyone’s guess.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2026

Definition of guess

Noun

Volzke began her PhD on elephant seals in 2021, just as Neil was becoming widely known – so his growth, both in size and fame, feels like it’s tracked alongside her degree on his species.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
The growth in digital participation has coincided with rising costs associated with attending many marquee sporting events.

— Rebecca Brooks, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of growth

Noun

President Claudia Sheinbaum has dismissed as fake news any notion that Mexico is in jeopardy of losing the collection.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
With food insecurity and school lunch debt a problem for many families, many North Dakotans are looking to the state to control the situation – a socialist notion.

— Kirk McClure, Fortune, 14 July 2026

Definition of notion

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Style

“Hunch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hunch. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of hunch

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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