sunken

adjective

sunk·​en ˈsəŋ-kən How to pronounce sunken (audio)
Synonyms of sunkennext
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.
Screenwriter Jack Thorne, working from the character created by author Nancy Springer, throws all manner of secrets, sunken treasure and a British colonialism subplot into a convoluted mix. ABC News, 1 July 2026 Renderings submitted to the city show that Propco intends to fill in most of the sunken amphitheater with artificial turf to create a central lawn area that retains some of the existing steps. Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2026 Prison life hasn't been easy on Otto, who has dungeon hair, sunken eyes and a scraggly beard. Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 29 June 2026 Domaine du Météore has a vineyard set inside a meteorite crater whose sunken topography, the estate says, gives fresher, lower-alcohol fruit. Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026 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 5 Jul. 2026.

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

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