sunken

adjective

sunk·​en ˈsəŋ-kən How to pronounce sunken (audio)
Synonyms of sunkennext
1
: submerged
especially : lying at the bottom of a body of water
2
a
: hollow, recessed
sunken cheeks
b
: lying in a depression
a sunken garden
c
: settled below the normal level
d
: constructed below the normal floor level
a sunken living room

Synonyms of sunken

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Examples of sunken in a Sentence

Her eyes were sunken and lifeless. our convalescing guest's sunken cheeks soon filled out on a diet of my mother's cooking
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The home features three bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms with a working fireplace and a sunken garden. — Nora Deligter, Curbed, 28 Aug. 2026 The rooms 67 one-, two- and three-bedroom overwater villas and beach residences boast infinity pools with sunken outdoor lounges and panoramic rooftop decks. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026 The clock was ticking, but Ballard had learned something from the sunken subs. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Aug. 2026 The home features wood floors and a sunken living room anchored by a stone fireplace, and Kislin’s designs are integrated throughout. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sunken

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sonkyn, past participle of sinken to sink

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sunken was in the 15th century

Rhymes for sunken

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Browse Nearby Words

sunk cost
sunken
sunk enamel
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Cite this Entry

“Sunken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sunken. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sunken

adjective
sunk·​en ˈsəŋ-kən How to pronounce sunken (audio)
1
: being submerged
especially : lying at the bottom of a body of water
sunken ships
2
: fallen in : hollow
sunken cheeks
3
a
: lying in a depression
a sunken garden
b
: constructed below the normal floor level
a sunken living room
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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