as in boredom
physical or mental inertness
faced with a class forever enveloped in a miasma of apathy and intellectual hebetude, the professor had little hope of kindling an interest in medieval European history
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Recent Examples of hebetude
The leaden weight of an irremediable idleness descended upon General Feraud, who having no resources within himself sank into a state of awe-inspiring hebetude.
—
Ruth Walker, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Sep. 2017
Ruth Walker, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Sep. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hebetude
Noun
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That at a certain point, the gooner will open his eyes, find himself in a room filled with lube but void of love, and decide that the boredom of staying in that room outweighs the fear of whatever lies beyond it.—
Daniel Kolitz,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
And yes, there were occasional hijinks spurred by youthful boredom and restlessness.—
Scott Huver,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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People experiencing more severe infections may also suffer high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, rashes and blood in their urine.—
Matthew Robinson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
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Common signs can include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, enlarged lymph nodes and spleen, pale gums (resulting from poor circulation), and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Daedone wanted to savor decrescendo, too, as well as stasis, stupor, spiritual awakening, and whatever other sensations the stroke brought out.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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The cilantro is key because its chlorophyllic sharpness slaps the stupor out of the starchy beans.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hebetude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hebetude. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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