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
For us, the best option was renting a car for transportation to and from the airport but hunkering down at the lodge after dark for the most rewarding and stress-free experience.
—
Sophie Mendel, Travel + Leisure, 23 Mar. 2025
The twister picked up their mobile home off its foundation and dropped it feet away, and the family survived by hunkering down in a homemade shelter in the ground.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 17 Mar. 2025
Economists said the weaker-than-expected figure was likely due to unseasonably cold weather that forced shoppers to hunker down, rather than a sign of the American shopper tapping out.
—Bryan Mena, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for hunker down
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Sophie Mendel, Travel + Leisure, 23 Mar. 2025
The twister picked up their mobile home off its foundation and dropped it feet away, and the family survived by hunkering down in a homemade shelter in the ground.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 17 Mar. 2025
Economists said the weaker-than-expected figure was likely due to unseasonably cold weather that forced shoppers to hunker down, rather than a sign of the American shopper tapping out.
—Bryan Mena, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
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
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 31 Mar. 2025.
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