sunken

adjective

sunk·​en ˈsəŋ-kən How to pronounce sunken (audio)
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

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.
Compounding the problem, the sunken sub is near the edge of a sea floor cliff, and rolls under the shifting weight of the washing through its hull. Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 6 June 2025 There’s no visible tonearm, but place a record on the sunken platter and a hidden door opens beneath the record being played to reveal the cartridge and stylus. Brad Moon, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025 Set pieces involving a sunken submarine and buzzing biplanes amply fulfill the franchise’s main selling point. Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 22 May 2025 Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors open onto an expansive patio with a sunken seating area, alfresco dining space, and zero-edge pool that overlooks the neighboring estuary. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 29 Apr. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sunken.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sunken. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on sunken

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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