hunker down
phrasal verb
hunkered down; hunkering down; hunkers down
chiefly US
1
: to lower the body to the ground by bending the legs
The hikers hunkered down under a cliff until the storm passed.
2
: to stay in a place for a period of time
The leaders hunkered down at a country estate for difficult peace negotiations.
Examples of hunker down in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Over the past half-decade, Lil Baby has hunkered down on a winning formula, but also hasn’t taken the artistic chances that can help superstars grow into icons.
—
Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 14 Jan. 2025
In a sweet video shared on Instagram, the family could be seen hunkering down on a sectional couch, shushing each other and staring intently at their television screen as Kerry Washington and Andrew Garfield announced the nominees.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2025
As winter sets in, our natural inclination is to hunker down and find a snug spot to ride out the season in comfort.
—Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2025
District Like Larson, Joe Courtney hunkered down in his office with only one staffer who came in that day because of pandemic limitations.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hunker down 
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Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 14 Jan. 2025
In a sweet video shared on Instagram, the family could be seen hunkering down on a sectional couch, shushing each other and staring intently at their television screen as Kerry Washington and Andrew Garfield announced the nominees.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2025
As winter sets in, our natural inclination is to hunker down and find a snug spot to ride out the season in comfort.
—Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Jan. 2025
District Like Larson, Joe Courtney hunkered down in his office with only one staffer who came in that day because of pandemic limitations.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hunker down
Dictionary Entries Near hunker down
Cite this Entry
“Hunker down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hunker%20down. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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