as in sleeping
to be in an inactive state
bears hibernating in their dens
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Recent Examples of hibernating
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
These simple shelters provide winter habitat for hibernating insects and they can be easily made with old garden debris and a bit of twine.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Nov. 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
They overwinter in the caterpillar stage by hibernating in leaf litter.
—Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
Owen Clarke, Outside, 17 Dec. 2025
These simple shelters provide winter habitat for hibernating insects and they can be easily made with old garden debris and a bit of twine.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Nov. 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
They overwinter in the caterpillar stage by hibernating in leaf litter.
—Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hibernating
Verb
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Melatonin also promoted sleep in the animals and scientists observed them sleeping at night and taking midday naps.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Those years — nights, sometimes weeks, sleeping outdoors — would later inform the script of Being Charlie, the semi-autobiographical film he co-wrote.—
Danielle Bacher,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Working group member and LJCPA trustee Patrick Ahern said the space would be used more for resting or a place to talk rather than recreation.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
-
After a moment, with the puck resting behind Hellebuyck and just in front of the goal line, Smith poked it across for his sixth goal of the season.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Whether lounging in white wicker rocking chairs or eating outside off wrought iron tables, some patio furniture will always be reminiscent of her.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Spend your days exploring the biosphere or lounging on daybeds and in private gazebos on the beach.—
Gemma Price,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Astringent Hachiya persimmons must fully soften at room temperature before eating because chilling too early locks in bitterness.—
Randi Gollin,
Martha Stewart,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Adding a splash of ice water and chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven, resulting in the perfect texture.—
Lizzy Briskin,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The teen was playing basketball at the park when he was approached by a group of young adults, who asked the teen if he was affiliated with a gang and tried to start a fight, police said.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Guys were playing hard, everybody on that drive was doing their job, and getting guys down on the ground.—
Mike Kaye
Updated January 11,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hibernating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hibernating. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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