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
To fully experience Costa Rica’s stunning natural beauty, travelers should hunker down in La Fortuna, a charming village in the foothills of the Arenal Volcano.
—
Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025
Americans hunkered down and bought a lot of alcohol — a billion dollars more.
—Aatish Bhatia, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2025
In addition to federal workers, thousands of college students, faculty and support staff members who fill half a dozen Loop campuses would have an incentive to fully enjoy the area instead of hunkering down in their academic enclaves and heading home before dark.
—Andy Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
Here’s a roundup of where people can warm up during the day and hunker down overnight.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hunker down
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Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025
Americans hunkered down and bought a lot of alcohol — a billion dollars more.
—Aatish Bhatia, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2025
In addition to federal workers, thousands of college students, faculty and support staff members who fill half a dozen Loop campuses would have an incentive to fully enjoy the area instead of hunkering down in their academic enclaves and heading home before dark.
—Andy Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
Here’s a roundup of where people can warm up during the day and hunker down overnight.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hunker down
Cite this Entry
“Hunker down.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hunker%20down. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.
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