hunkered (down)

past tense of hunker (down)
as in crouched
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

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hunkered (down)
Verb
  • The left-handed batter took a 2-2 fastball just below the knees, crouched and shook his head.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Like ballplayers just before the pitch, animal control crouched into position, with thick metal grabbers, nooses, and nets at the ready.
    Zachary Przystup, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Those awaiting hearings huddled under the building’s entrance to shield themselves from the rain.
    Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Chopper 4 video showed police huddled around the main entrance of the high school.
    Steve Maugeri, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Hunkered (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hunkered%20%28down%29. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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