hibernate

verb

Definition of hibernatenext
as in to sleep
to be in an inactive state bears hibernating in their dens

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 hibernate If your grill has been hibernating for a few months, start with a deep clean using a wire-free brush and vinegar. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 16 May 2026 Schlosstein pictured hosting dinner parties in the dining room and lounging with her dog, Milo, on the terrace, as well as working from the office and hibernating in the library. — Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 30 Apr. 2026 Those threats include boat strikes from propellers slicing through shells, being caught in fishing nets, shoreline development, tree removal reducing natural cover, de-icing bubblers that give otters access to hibernating turtles, and climate change. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026 In the wild, boreal toads survive harsh winters by essentially hibernating. — Alex Lehnert, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hibernate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hibernate
  1. sleep
  2. chill
  3. rest
  4. play
  5. lounge
  6. doze
Verb
  • At night, the entire dining area converts into a 180 x 90-cm (70 x 35-in) bed perfect for sleeping a child or two.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 July 2026
  • Gosman’s Dock is only an eight-minute drive away, filled with stellar lunch spots (don’t sleep on The Dock Bar).
    — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
Definition of sleep
Verb
  • These can be made into a wafer shape as well by shaping the dough into logs and chilling it before making 1/4-inch-thick slices.
    — Patricia S York, Southern Living, 4 July 2026
  • After cooling, place toothpicks around perimeter of custard, then cover with plastic wrap (don’t let plastic touch custard) and keep chilled.
    — Rachel Dolfi, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 July 2026
Definition of chill
Verb
  • Broadway's glittering lights have always beckoned aspiring thespians and avid theatergoers to New York, and the city's ever exciting theatre scene is far from simply resting on its laurels.
    — Madison Flager, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 July 2026
  • Dennis Sochor, a swimming-pool cleaner, helped Patty move her ill friend into her car to rest, and Patty ultimately got in Sochor’s car, according to the Miami Herald’s archives.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
Definition of rest
Verb
  • Haiti became the first team in FIFA history to qualify without having played one game at home due to gangs’ takeover of its national stadium and the violence in Port-au-Prince.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
  • While setting up an attack near the France box, midfielder Dani Olmo overcame a hard challenge that knocked him down to play a through ball to Pedro Porro.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
Definition of play
Verb
  • For tennis lessons, swinging at the driving range, and even lounging on the couch, this skort works for a range of occasions.
    — Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
  • In the center, a cluster of tortellini lounged in a pool of truffle-flecked butter sauce.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
Definition of lounge
Verb
  • Nothing etches itself in your heart quite like the memory of watching a pack of energetic African wild dogs frolicking, a lioness and her cubs dozing on the Kalahari with your own kids tucked in close.
    — Kathryn Romeyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 June 2026
  • Victor Nicholas ended up dozing with his head on her shoulder.
    — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
Definition of doze

Browse Nearby Words

hiatuses
hibernate
hibernated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hibernate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hibernate. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on hibernate

Nglish: Translation of hibernate for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of raffish

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All