as in sleeping
to be in an inactive state
bears hibernating in their dens
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Recent Examples of hibernating
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
Some bears spent the colder months hibernating under Lake Tahoe-area homes.
—Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 16 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
Her sadsack solution on the path towards healing from their bad breakup – beyond getting day drunk and hibernating in her apartment with junk food – includes poring over memories of her own past lousy relationships, in addition to Insta-stalking Kaylinn.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
Maybe the Grizzlies have been hibernating for most of the last 10 years.
—Rick Cantu, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Some common behaviors to look out for include sleep changes, like getting very little sleep, or alternatively sleeping or hibernating more than usual, says Guilbault.
—Staff Author, Parents, 9 Mar. 2026
But shouldn’t the bears be hibernating?
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 19 Feb. 2026
Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 30 Apr. 2026
Some bears spent the colder months hibernating under Lake Tahoe-area homes.
—Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 16 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
Her sadsack solution on the path towards healing from their bad breakup – beyond getting day drunk and hibernating in her apartment with junk food – includes poring over memories of her own past lousy relationships, in addition to Insta-stalking Kaylinn.
—Courtney Howard, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
Maybe the Grizzlies have been hibernating for most of the last 10 years.
—Rick Cantu, Austin American Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
Some common behaviors to look out for include sleep changes, like getting very little sleep, or alternatively sleeping or hibernating more than usual, says Guilbault.
—Staff Author, Parents, 9 Mar. 2026
But shouldn’t the bears be hibernating?
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hibernating
Verb
-
Pricing varies dramatically depending on accommodation type, from sleeping-bag spaces to luxury suites.—
Lauren Schuster,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
-
Most of the rest are up for adoption, including two 1-year-old Göttingen minipigs — named Barrigan and Mulligan — sleeping near Amber and who were sent to the network by a Kansas City area testing lab after being used in research.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
An altered Antarctic landscape could have significant impacts on its wildlife, from the microorganisms and algae that prop up the food chain – food for krill which, in turn, feed many of the region’s whales – to the penguins and seals that rely on sea ice for feeding and resting.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
-
The device works with a new health coach within the new Google Health app for iOS and Android and tracks steps, distance, sleep, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, resting heart rate and heart rate variability.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
These palazzo pants are the sleek solution to looking put-together at the airport, walking around a new city, lounging by the pool, and more without sacrificing comfort.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
-
The video opens with Earle lounging by the beach, basking in the sun.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
The prosecution showed the jurors chilling video and audio evidence that included Athena’s last moments after Horner lured her inside the FedEx van.—
Amy McDaniel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 May 2026
-
This comes after the first part of his sentencing phase, where prosecutors showed jurors chilling surveillance footage taken from inside the truck that day, NBC DFW and the Star-Telegram reported.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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A little walk to Ayu Bakehouse, especially in the early morning while most of the neighborhood is still dozing, is a great start to the day.—
Kate Kassin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
13 Apr. 2026
-
People sleep with earplugs for many reasons, like excessive city noise, loud neighbors, or even a snoring partner dozing next to them.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At a press conference Wednesday announcing the bill, lawmakers cited studies showing that the cost of playing youth sports has risen by 46% in five years, with many families paying more than $5,000 per child for a single season.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
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The 16-year-old Sullivan collected his first career MLS goal, playing a cross to Ben Bender and finishing the return pass to cut the deficit to 3-2.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hibernating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hibernating. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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