hunker (down)

Definition of hunker (down)next
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

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hunker (down)
Verb
  • Nearly two dozen gunshots later, Palmer and Jones were dead, while London survived by crouching down in the backseat.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
  • The cameraman darted and crouched, arguably working harder than anyone else in the building to capture those breathless, in-your-face angles.
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Tokyo — In scenes normally reserved for J-pop stars, thousands of fans huddle against the cold outside a small train station on the outskirts of Tokyo, their phones held high for a glimpse of Japan’s latest obsession.
    Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The couple huddles around a gas heater inside their home with their daughter and 4-year-old granddaughter to try and stay warm.
    Kati Weis, CBS News, 4 Feb. 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

“Hunker (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hunker%20%28down%29. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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