as in huddling
to lie low with the limbs close to the body
the cat crouched in the bushes, waiting for the right moment to pounce on the chipmunk
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of crouching
During the Civil War, popular lithographs depicted Lincoln next to the crouching Black man, and army-camp photographers posed white Union soldiers beside Black men in a similar arrangement.
—
Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Another photo captures the soon-to-be bride and groom crouching down on the sand with their two pet dogs.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife advises those who come in contact with mountain lions to stay calm and remain still, never run or approach a lion and avoid crouching down or bending over.
—Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2026
There’s nothing quite as humbling as crouching next to a random airport outlet.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2026
The 6-foot-3 Blackmon is crouching down to greet Mabel, who stood about 4-foot-7.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2026
Borsutzki climbed out of the driver’s seat and sprinted toward the rupture in the road before crouching at the edge, a man pinned deep below crying out for help.
—Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Cluely’s offices were in a generally disheveled corner of the city, crouching near an elevated freeway.
—Sam Kriss, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Nearly two dozen gunshots later, Palmer and Jones were dead, while London survived by crouching down in the backseat.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Another photo captures the soon-to-be bride and groom crouching down on the sand with their two pet dogs.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife advises those who come in contact with mountain lions to stay calm and remain still, never run or approach a lion and avoid crouching down or bending over.
—Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2026
There’s nothing quite as humbling as crouching next to a random airport outlet.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2026
The 6-foot-3 Blackmon is crouching down to greet Mabel, who stood about 4-foot-7.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2026
Borsutzki climbed out of the driver’s seat and sprinted toward the rupture in the road before crouching at the edge, a man pinned deep below crying out for help.
—Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Cluely’s offices were in a generally disheveled corner of the city, crouching near an elevated freeway.
—Sam Kriss, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Nearly two dozen gunshots later, Palmer and Jones were dead, while London survived by crouching down in the backseat.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crouching
Verb
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No officials huddling up and putting on headphones.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2026
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Now, viral video footage of a group of dogs stranded on the side of a busy roadway in China has drawn plenty of comparisons to the story, showing a reminiscent group of household critters huddling together.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Poor Posture Poor posture, like slouching or hunching over a desk, puts constant stress on your muscles and joints.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
17 Apr. 2026
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Leaning forward or hunching over the handrails—or grasping them too tightly—can reduce activation in your lower-body muscles.—
Christa Sgobba,
Health,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That breakout season prompted him to USC, and, later, Oregon, where, as a first-team All-American, Pregnon fully matured while benching 465 pounds and squatting 655.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
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Police said Tejada and Alston were squatting in the apartment when Vitels showed up to move either herself or someone else in.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crouching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crouching. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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