hunker (down)

as in to crouch
to lie low with the limbs close to the body had to hunker down so no one would see him behind the gate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hunker (down)
Verb
  • This spring, my grandson crouched beside me to plant peas, 20 years after his father helped dig the first bed.
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025
  • In footage shared by the AP, the leopard was seen crouching on the ground next to the boy's vehicle before chasing the car and leaping at the window.
    Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Princess Kate, Prince William and the students were seen huddling together to hide from the downpour.
    Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The event was broadcast live on YouTube, and groups of people sat on the grassy lawn in front of the Capitol huddled together around their phones, listening to the survivors, whose voices echoed across the wide square.
    Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hunker (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hunker%20%28down%29. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!