as in sleeping
to be in an inactive state
bears hibernating in their dens
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Recent Examples of hibernating
If the groundhog sees its shadow after emerging from hibernating in its burrow, it’s supposed to predict six more weeks of winter.
—
Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 1 Feb. 2026
Similarly, the heart rate of a hibernating groundhog slows from about 80 beats per minute to just five, while breathing slows from around 16 breaths per minute to as few as two, according to the National Wildlife Federation.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026
The vast majority of people infected with TB have a latent form of the bacteria, mycobacterium tuberculosis, which remains dormant and non-transmissible — sometimes a hibernating infection can lie dormant for decades.
—Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
Last year, according to the Johnson County Daily Journal, a hibernating Hope wouldn't open her eyes during the ceremony.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 29 Jan. 2026
Similarly, their active body temperature can be 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) – about the same as a dog or cat – but plummet to 41 F (5 C) when hibernating.
—Steven Sullivan, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
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
Turn your home into a luxurious winter hideaway worth hibernating in with this warm, cozy home trend.
—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
Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 1 Feb. 2026
Similarly, the heart rate of a hibernating groundhog slows from about 80 beats per minute to just five, while breathing slows from around 16 breaths per minute to as few as two, according to the National Wildlife Federation.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026
The vast majority of people infected with TB have a latent form of the bacteria, mycobacterium tuberculosis, which remains dormant and non-transmissible — sometimes a hibernating infection can lie dormant for decades.
—Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
Last year, according to the Johnson County Daily Journal, a hibernating Hope wouldn't open her eyes during the ceremony.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 29 Jan. 2026
Similarly, their active body temperature can be 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) – about the same as a dog or cat – but plummet to 41 F (5 C) when hibernating.
—Steven Sullivan, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
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
Turn your home into a luxurious winter hideaway worth hibernating in with this warm, cozy home trend.
—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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hibernating
Verb
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Following practices for good heart health like eating a nutritious diet, sleeping enough, getting enough consistent exercise and addressing underlying medical conditions that make heart disease more likely are all important.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
16 Feb. 2026
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It’s often described as getting the wind knocked out of you, a knot in the stomach or even trouble sleeping.—
Kyra Dahring,
CNN Money,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Keep the iron moving – never leave it resting in one spot.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
19 Feb. 2026
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Also, the lamp has been turned into a miniature homage to cubism (and its lampshade is hovering in the air, not resting on anything).—
Benjamin Lima,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Some travelers love vacations that involve doing absolutely nothing—trips where lounging by the beach or pool, napping, reading, or going for a light swim are the most rigorous activities on the agenda.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Feb. 2026
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The fabric drapes for a put-together look equally suitable for lounging on a couch, sitting on a plane, running errands, or having brunch with friends.—
Paige Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Practices and games begin in January and expose players to harsh weather and unnecessary injuries while fans watch games in bone-chilling cold or do not attend at all.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
13 Feb. 2026
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Of course the main lobby restaurant, Le Jardin, which has icy buckets chilling wine and the near-constant scent of truffles in the air during its 24-hour service, is always packed.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In fact, on many nights I could be found dozing in the chair with her tiny body curled onto my chest.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
10 Feb. 2026
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Shot in gorgeous widescreen (an unusual format for documentaries), the movie catalogs all the way people behave around what appears to be a single bear, first seen dozing with her two cubs.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun was also found guilty Thursday of playing a major role in the insurrection and sentenced to 30 years in prison.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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On a frigid night recently, about a dozen people arrived at the Evanston Public Library to try playing a new game created by Steven Franconeri, a Northwestern University psychology professor.—
Jeff Banowetz,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hibernating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hibernating. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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