as in to sleep
to be in an inactive state
bears hibernating in their dens
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Recent Examples of hibernate
The sinkhole has gone unrepaired since then, and it’s grown deep and wide enough that a bear might choose to hibernate in it, curling up beneath the trees that have taken root in the cavity.
—
Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Apr. 2025
Each year, beginning in spring when grizzlies awake from months spent hibernating, between 30 to 40 people — in Alaska, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, a small portion of Washington and British Columbia — are attacked, and two to three people are killed, after coming into contact with these animals.
—Johnny Dodd, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Another theory suggests that extreme winter weather may have caused their deaths while hibernating, as frogs burrow into the mud but can succumb to particularly harsh freezes.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Trees shed leaves in fall, animals hibernate in winter, flowers bloom in spring, and everything basks in the heat of summer.
—Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hibernate
Justin Davidson, Curbed, 18 Apr. 2025
Each year, beginning in spring when grizzlies awake from months spent hibernating, between 30 to 40 people — in Alaska, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, a small portion of Washington and British Columbia — are attacked, and two to three people are killed, after coming into contact with these animals.
—Johnny Dodd, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Another theory suggests that extreme winter weather may have caused their deaths while hibernating, as frogs burrow into the mud but can succumb to particularly harsh freezes.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Trees shed leaves in fall, animals hibernate in winter, flowers bloom in spring, and everything basks in the heat of summer.
—Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hibernate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hibernate
Verb
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Make as much noise as possible to try and keep U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers from sleeping and force them elsewhere.—
Victoria Valenzuela,
USA Today,
1 July 2025
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One 2024 meta-analysis, for example, found that all manner of sensory experiences—including sounds, smells, flashing lights, physical pressure, and pain—can be incorporated into dreams when people are sleeping and investigators provide the stimulus.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Add ingredients to an Old Fashioned glass with a big piece of ice and stir 10 to 15 seconds to chill.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
11 July 2025
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Fill the glass with ice, and repeat with the other glass. 3: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, stir together the Earl Grey simple syrup, lime juice and smoked paprika until thoroughly chilled and diluted, about 15 seconds.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 July 2025
Verb
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In the photo, Spieth and his children's hands can be seen touching the little one, who is resting while wearing a blue onesie with trucks printed on it.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
14 July 2025
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After taking a little extra time to rest up, the three-time Grammy winner kicked off her Las Vegas residency with a bang on Friday night.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
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Days spent lounging on the beach are typically followed by oceanside drinks and dancing at the lively, unpretentious Paddy’s Beach Club or the Windjammer Surf Bar.—
Bob Curley,
AFAR Media,
8 July 2025
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In early June, Bieber posted a cute snap of himself lounging with his feet up as his son held onto his leg.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Willits played baseball at Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
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Rookie Christian Moore has only played in 18 games, but has shown some flashes of brilliance, including a game-tying and then a game-winning home run against the Red Sox late last month.—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Patrick Seymour, dozing in a Newcastle home, awoke to flames crawling up the outside walls.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
25 June 2025
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Through the night, several of them allegedly followed the southbound Brink’s truck, which was piloted by one driver while another dozed in the vehicle’s sleeping compartment.—
Daniel Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hibernate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hibernate. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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