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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Every child benefits from practicing waiting, joining conversation and managing boredom in everyday settings.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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So afternoon, for Gospodinov, is the time for boredom, memory, a kind of weightless solitude—and, now, the time for grief.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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If your lethargy or lack of desire to see people lingers for more than a few days, talking to someone is probably a good idea.—
Cindy Kuzma,
SELF,
29 Oct. 2025
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The signs of bird flu in dogs and cats include fever, lethargy, low appetite, red or inflamed eyes, discharge from eyes and nose, coughing or sneezing, difficulty breathing and neurologic signs such as tremors, seizures, incoordination or blindness, according to the AVMA.—
Laura Schulte,
jsonline.com,
28 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 8 Nov. 2025.
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