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
  • As Kimbrel got set to face Marlins first baseman Kyle Stowers, the right-hander crouched near the mound as liquid spewed from his mouth before the broadcast camera cut away.
    Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Like ballplayers just before the pitch, animal control crouched into position, with thick metal grabbers, nooses, and nets at the ready.
    Zachary Przystup, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Co-stars Sofia Boutella, Bill Pullman and Daniel Zovatto also huddled warmly with the director.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Thirty minutes before the preseason finale, and before leaving the field from pregame warmups for the final time as a 19-man band, the Falcons’ defensive backs huddled and brought their fists together on the Hard Rock Stadium sideline.
    Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 4 Sep. 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 6 Sep. 2026.

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