as in to sleep
to be in an inactive state
bears hibernating in their dens
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Recent Examples of hibernate
In total, there are 15 species in the genus Marmota, found around the world from as far south as the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico and the Pyrenees Mountains of Spain, north to regions of Siberia and Alaska so dark and cold that the marmots must hibernate for up to nine months of the year.
—
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
There's no need to hibernate inside when winter's chill arrives.
—Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Midwest Living, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hibernate
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
There's no need to hibernate inside when winter's chill arrives.
—Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Midwest Living, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hibernate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hibernate
Verb
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Even plastic bags get woven into sleeping mats for residents who may be sleeping outside or don’t have a bed.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
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After five days in frigid federal holding cells — where the family says the children slept under foil blankets on thin mats — they were transferred to Dilley, expecting to wait there for a couple weeks at most.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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More than just the weather threatens to chill the consumer outlook this winter, however.—
Allie Canal,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
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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
Verb
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The Seahawks used a first-round bye to rest, heal and prepare, and then routed the 49ers in a divisional-round game before beating the Rams, 31-27, to advance to the Super Bowl.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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There have been no such incidents this year, but there has been plenty of on-court drama that only international team tennis — with home and away ties, and a slot just after a Grand Slam that sees many nations’ top stars resting — can provide.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Before playing in the last four games, Reaves had missed the previous 19 with his calf injury.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Maldonado invited Jaquez to play, and after losing, Jaquez bought Maldonado drinks and returned to his friend group, according to the affidavit.—
Elissa Jorgensen,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Here for a romantic getaway, my husband and I stayed in the luxurious Kalinago king suite overlooking the ocean, with a private patio perfect for just-the-two-of-us lounging.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
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The sunny spot is lined with butterfly-friendly landscaping, features space to lounge or dine, and is shaded by scalloped umbrellas that would look at home on a stylish beachside resort.—
Joyce Chen,
Architectural Digest,
14 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
Cite this Entry
“Hibernate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hibernate. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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