as in sleeping
to be in an inactive state
bears hibernating in their dens
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Recent Examples of hibernating
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
However, while ground squirrels are hibernating, their vasopressin levels jump, but the animal still doesn’t drink.
—Dan Samorodnitsky, Quanta Magazine, 11 Aug. 2025
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
However, while ground squirrels are hibernating, their vasopressin levels jump, but the animal still doesn’t drink.
—Dan Samorodnitsky, Quanta Magazine, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hibernating
Verb
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In the quiet hush of the neonatal intensive care unit at Shahjahanpur Medical College, the only constant sound was the monotone of the heart monitor, its low hum keeping watch over the baby sleeping inside the sterile incubator.—
Aishwarya S. Iyer,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
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Interestingly, men seemed more affected than women—sleeping about 50 minutes less overall.—
Clarissa Brincat,
Popular Science,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Arctic seals rely on sea ice for breeding and raising their pups, as well as for moulting, resting and accessing foraging areas.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
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More recently, older adults who practiced Japanese walking for five months showed improvements in resting blood pressure, lower-limb muscle strength and VO2 max, a key indicator of cardiovascular fitness and aerobic endurance, according to a 2025 study by a different group of scientists.—
Melanie Radzicki McManus,
CNN Money,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The company also collaborated with Nike last month to launch an initial three core activewear collections and four seasonal collections, featuring pieces designed for everything from strength training and everyday workouts to lounging and running errands.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
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Imagine hosting a cozy dinner party under the stars, morning coffee with a view, or simply lounging with a good book in the sunshine—all without ever leaving your own space.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Twenty-three years ago in Berkeley, members of Americana noir band Loretta Lynch launched the annual Murder Ballads Bash, a showcase of artists across musical genres, each playing one bone-chilling tune.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
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Martin shares a chunk of screentime with Collette, who serves up a masterclass in chilling villainy as a school and community leader who majors in manipulation.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Graziadei, 46, is known for playing Daniel Romalotti in The Young and the Restless.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
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As knowledgeable as Towns is about the infrastructure of the apparel industry, his priority is playing for and training with the New York Knicks.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hibernating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hibernating. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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