as in crouching
to lie low with the limbs close to the body
a detective squatting to examine something on the ground
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of squatting
The measure also allows judges to issue summary judgments in clear squatting cases and tightens notice requirements, directing landlords to deliver eviction notices in ways likely to ensure occupants actually receive them, such as direct delivery or posting notices in visible places.
—
Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 30 Dec. 2025
When the home’s white former tenants vacate, Jimmie moves out of his friend’s apartment in a low-income neighborhood that’s built on toxic waste and begins squatting.
—Taryn Finley, Refinery29, 7 Nov. 2025
Maintaining the tugboat became cumbersome, and three Zizian members opted to move into box trucks before squatting in a Bay Area trailer lot owned by Curtis Lind, then age 80, a former shipworker and grandfather of four.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2025
His income is uncertain, and he’s been living with Bennett, a younger drinking buddy who, in turn, is basically squatting in his dead aunt’s apartment.
—Willing Davidson, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
And, that there was a goblin, squatting in my skull, rattling a metal pail full of bolts and hissing failure, rot, spoil.
—Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
Study scope and main findings The researchers examined dozens of pre-Neolithic burials in which skeletons were placed in tightly crouched or squatting positions and, in many cases, showed patches of burning.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
While squatting weight in high school gym class, Welch, 18, felt his right knee become uncomfortable.
—Angelina Liu, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Stooping is easier than squatting, and humans tend to choose the more comfortable strategy.
—Payal Dhar, IEEE Spectrum, 10 Sep. 2021
Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 30 Dec. 2025
When the home’s white former tenants vacate, Jimmie moves out of his friend’s apartment in a low-income neighborhood that’s built on toxic waste and begins squatting.
—Taryn Finley, Refinery29, 7 Nov. 2025
Maintaining the tugboat became cumbersome, and three Zizian members opted to move into box trucks before squatting in a Bay Area trailer lot owned by Curtis Lind, then age 80, a former shipworker and grandfather of four.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2025
His income is uncertain, and he’s been living with Bennett, a younger drinking buddy who, in turn, is basically squatting in his dead aunt’s apartment.
—Willing Davidson, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
And, that there was a goblin, squatting in my skull, rattling a metal pail full of bolts and hissing failure, rot, spoil.
—Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
Study scope and main findings The researchers examined dozens of pre-Neolithic burials in which skeletons were placed in tightly crouched or squatting positions and, in many cases, showed patches of burning.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
While squatting weight in high school gym class, Welch, 18, felt his right knee become uncomfortable.
—Angelina Liu, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Stooping is easier than squatting, and humans tend to choose the more comfortable strategy.
—Payal Dhar, IEEE Spectrum, 10 Sep. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squatting
crouching
Verb
-
In the black-and-white shot, Stewart, 35, and Meyer, 38 — still in their casual wedding attire — can be seen crouching down next to each other while happily petting their dog.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Longoria could also be seen ditching her pants in another look, crouching on the ground in a cheeky brown bodysuit with a mock neck design.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Squatting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squatting. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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