sunken

adjective

sunk·​en ˈsəŋ-kən How to pronounce sunken (audio)
1
: submerged
especially : lying at the bottom of a body of water
2
a
: hollow, recessed
sunken cheeks
b
: lying in a depression
a sunken garden
c
: settled below the normal level
d
: constructed below the normal floor level
a sunken living room

Examples of sunken in a Sentence

Her eyes were sunken and lifeless. our convalescing guest's sunken cheeks soon filled out on a diet of my mother's cooking
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Email Address Email Powered by Salesforce Marketing Cloud (Privacy Notice / Terms & Conditions) Sean Kingsley | | READ MORE Sean Kingsley is a marine archaeologist, explorer, historian and writer specializing in the sunken past. Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Feb. 2025 From the depths of Watauga Lake to the sunken trees of Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee is home to dozens of beautiful, unique lakes. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 12 Feb. 2025 Recovery teams delayed retrieving the sunken sedan after considering safety at the scene, water conditions and incoming weather, CHP officials said. Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 6 Feb. 2025 Among the highlights is a sunken living room sporting a floor-to-ceiling wood-burning fireplace crafted by a European stonemason. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sunken

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sonkyn, past participle of sinken to sink

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sunken was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sunken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sunken. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

sunken

adjective
sunk·​en ˈsəŋ-kən How to pronounce sunken (audio)
1
: being submerged
especially : lying at the bottom of a body of water
sunken ships
2
: fallen in : hollow
sunken cheeks
3
a
: lying in a depression
a sunken garden
b
: constructed below the normal floor level
a sunken living room

More from Merriam-Webster on sunken

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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