hibernate

verb

Definition of hibernatenext
as in to sleep
to be in an inactive state bears hibernating in their dens

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hibernate Why might the bear have attacked? Bears usually hibernate at this time of year: Black bears in Pennsylvania typically hibernate from late November through to March or April, depending on weather conditions and food availability. — Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025 The anonymous data gathered from our shopping stories shows that our readers also felt this tug-of-war between lofty aspirations and the urge to hibernate. — Venus Wong, refinery29.com, 7 Feb. 2025 Due to a lack of hedgehogs, settlers in the new world began to rely on the groundhog, another small hibernating mammal. — Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 2025 Until she’s asked to prolong her stay on board of a research vessel for a whole winter, as scientists study the first people ever known to hibernate. — Marta Balaga, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hibernate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hibernate
  1. sleep
  2. chill
  3. rest
  4. lounge
  5. play
  6. doze
Verb
  • The officer also stated that the floors were extremely dirty and described the playpen where the infant had reportedly been sleeping had no bedding and said that the mattress was extremely dirty and stained, according to court records.
    — Silas Morgan, Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The home sleeps 16 and is decorated in pinks and purples, with pops of the pop star’s likeness to get you in the ultimate Swift mood.
    — Sophie Liza Cannon, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of sleep
Verb
  • This bill will chill legitimate political speech while exposing citizens to health risks as well as risks of doxxing, harassment and violence.
    — Nikki Morse, Baltimore Sun, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Policy uncertainty from the federal government would likely chill investor willingness to provide capital for American companies to continue their innovative work.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of chill
Verb
  • The model could be seen posing in a black bodysuit and snapped a picture of herself in the mirror, featuring her dog, who rested on a blanket.
    — Hannah Sacks, People.com, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Titian’s Adam leans backward on his right arm; his left hand, which rests limply on Eve’s upper breast, appears hardly capable of stopping her.
    — Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of rest
Verb
  • The low-slung wood frame just begs to be lounged upon, while the white water-resistant cushions add a clean finish.
    — Will Porter, Architectural Digest, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The clip starts with Smith lounging in a Thai hotel swimming pool.
    — Raven Brunner, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of lounge
Verb
  • Jericho Rosales plays Quezon, and the cast also includes Mon Confiado, Benjamin Alves, Karylle Yuzon, Romnick Sarmenta, J.C. Santos and Cris Villanueva.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Others lament that young people will lose the chance to build up fluid mental math skills while playing: develop number sense, compute sums and products, budget, compare value, think strategically or reason using simple probability.
    — Ann Rutledge, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of play
Verb
  • Despite downing a large coffee early in the morning, by the afternoon, Aaron was dozing in the waiting room.
    — Christian Babcock, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025
  • They can be found romping (or dozing) in the zoo's snow leopard habitat.
    — Christine Clarridge, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025
Definition of doze

Browse Nearby Words

hiatuses
hibernate
hibernated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hibernate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hibernate. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on hibernate

Nglish: Translation of hibernate for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All