as in sleeping
to be in an inactive state
bears hibernating in their dens
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Recent Examples of hibernating
Six-year-old Lucas Kincaid of Molalla, Oregon stood with his family to take a final peek in the hulking main telescope beneath the dome in anxious anticipation, snug in his furry hooded jacket like a hibernating bear cub about to meet the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
—
Jeff Spry, Space.com, 11 Jan. 2026
So what are their go-to tricks for creating a space worth hibernating in?
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
Although the animals are usually hibernating by now, a shortage in their primary food source—beechnut, chestnut, and oak acorns—may be preventing them from entering their deep slumber as usual.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 17 Dec. 2025
Many insects spend the winter hibernating in hollow stems, while birds feast on seeds from coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, zinnias, cosmos, and more.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
To survive Alaska’s punishing winters, brown bears spend the season hibernating in their dens.
—Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
With the sockeye population swimming back to the Sea, chubbed up grizzlies find a cozy spot for hibernating as Arctic temperatures drop.
—Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The internet star has made a habit out of sharing the aftermath of her wild nights out on TikTok, hibernating under hoodies and ordering food to fill her stomach.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
The single-elimination tournament is held as hibernating bears reach peak fat after a summer-long effort.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Jeff Spry, Space.com, 11 Jan. 2026
So what are their go-to tricks for creating a space worth hibernating in?
—Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
Although the animals are usually hibernating by now, a shortage in their primary food source—beechnut, chestnut, and oak acorns—may be preventing them from entering their deep slumber as usual.
—Owen Clarke, Outside, 17 Dec. 2025
Many insects spend the winter hibernating in hollow stems, while birds feast on seeds from coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, zinnias, cosmos, and more.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025
To survive Alaska’s punishing winters, brown bears spend the season hibernating in their dens.
—Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
With the sockeye population swimming back to the Sea, chubbed up grizzlies find a cozy spot for hibernating as Arctic temperatures drop.
—Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The internet star has made a habit out of sharing the aftermath of her wild nights out on TikTok, hibernating under hoodies and ordering food to fill her stomach.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
The single-elimination tournament is held as hibernating bears reach peak fat after a summer-long effort.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hibernating
Verb
-
Choose a deluxe cabin for the full crew, which comes with either two queen beds or a queen bed and a pull-out sofa, sleeping up to four people.—
Jenny Willden,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Jan. 2026
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Making sure your kids are tucked in and sleeping is one of the best feelings as a parent, even when things didn’t go right during the day.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In addition to resting, the singer was also told not to drink or smoke.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
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Denver pushed the lead to seven with Porter resting early in the fourth.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For running errands, working out, or lounging around the house, grab these best-selling joggers that are even backed by dance instructors.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Mobs of kangaroos and wallabies are easy to spot lounging in open fields during golden hours.—
Laura Kiniry,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Bruceriver Pure Wool Knit Gloves Cold hands can ruin even the best winter day, which is why wool gloves are non-negotiable in bone-chilling cold.—
Ariana Dickson,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Jan. 2026
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The death toll from this weekend’s bone-chilling winter storm, has climbed to eight, with city officials investigating how so many New Yorkers lost their lives on the streets and whether the deaths were caused by the extreme cold.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Afternoons here are deliciously drowsy, spent dozing in the shade, gently parting calm sea water, or gliding past craggy rock formations in a little motor-boat.—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
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An airport-style metal detector opened onto an intake counter, a security guard station, and a few dozen chairs, occupied by people dozing or staring ahead or attempting to console their crying baby while waiting for their name to be called.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
While Congress currently appears inclined to reject those reductions, most universities are playing it very cautiously with respect to research and graduate education commitments, given the uncertainty that’s likely to continue at the federal level.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Mesidor lacks ideal length and turns 25 in April after playing six college seasons.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hibernating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hibernating. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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