hebetude

noun

ˈhe-bə-ˌtüd How to pronounce hebetude (audio)
Definition of hebetudenext
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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Example Sentences

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.
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hebetude
  1. boredom
  2. lethargy
  3. stupor
Noun
  • Her boredom was sharpened by the discovery that most of her initial assumptions were wrong.
    — Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Every word oozes an academic solicitation of trust, each oversize term is an invitation to boredom.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of boredom
Noun
  • Lastly, Harford County Animal Control urges residents to notify them at 410-638-3505 if anyone observes a stray animal showing signs of excessive affection, aggression, lethargy, or disorientation.
    — Michelle Richardson, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Perhaps the jump scares here also helped shake the filmmakers out of their lethargy in post-production.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of lethargy
Noun
  • Fernández’s theory is that Mark must have told the women the code to his safe in his pliant stupor.
    — Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The sense is of a political culture reluctantly shaking off a decades-long stupor.
    — Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
Definition of stupor

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heck
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“Hebetude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hebetude. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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