hunkered (down)

Definition of hunkered (down)next
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
  • When The Times connected with Reyes, she was crouched down backstage at the Lovinger Theatre at Lehman College in the Bronx.
    Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Jones’ wife Marie came out to the mound for the first pitch with daughters Jami and Staci, who threw the ball to Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman crouched behind the plate.
    Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Molly was huddled underneath the waterfall, just a few meters from the rocky spot where her owner had fallen.
    Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026
  • The clip showed Molly huddled and shivering near the rocks before a rescuer grabbed her.
    Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 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 6 Apr. 2026.

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