hibernate

verb

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

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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 Ticks go dormant in temperatures below 40 degrees, hibernating beneath leaf litter and snow. — Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026 Of course, those of you who prefer to hibernate could curl up with a good book, tidy up around your castle or watch some footie on the telly. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 26 June 2026 The five bears established dens, hibernated through the winter and emerged in the spring, the release said. — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026 As the creatures head out in search of food and are no longer hibernating, the organization issued a warning following recent attacks. — Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hibernate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hibernate
  1. sleep
  2. chill
  3. rest
  4. play
  5. lounge
  6. doze
Verb
  • Ernest couldn’t sleep, but lay awake on his mattress in the basement, figuring.
    — Madeline ffitch, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Bönan said the aim is to make visitors feel like guests in a prince’s house, much like the nobles and royals who were welcomed and slept under its grand ceilings.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of sleep
Verb
  • The shrimp selections are the star of the table, with medium-size butterflied shrimp fried, grilled or served chilled.
    — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Once the bars have chilled, this is an easy way to remove them from the pan by pulling on the sides of the foil.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of chill
Verb
  • That one creative decision takes away Carrie’s agency at the most crucial moment and seriously undercuts the foundation on which the whole character arc rests.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Another photograph included in the court filing shows the object resting on aluminum foil beside what appears to be taco meat.
    — Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of rest
Verb
  • Reimer played just one previous game this fall, a 35-save shutout in the American Hockey League on Saturday night, before signing an NHL contract for the rest of the season.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The 2025 expansion team will have an opportunity to secure its first championship banner when Game 6 is played Thursday afternoon in Atlanta.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of play
Verb
  • My favorite touch was the deep-red plush bathrobe, which somehow made lounging in the room feel like part of the performance.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
  • South Floridians of a certain vintage — those familiar with Las Olas pre-pandemic, anyway — may remember Mangos, the Floribbean locals lounge that lasted 25 years on the boulevard before closing in 2017.
    — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of lounge
Verb
  • Nothing etches itself in your heart quite like the memory of watching a pack of energetic African wild dogs frolicking, a lioness and her cubs dozing on the Kalahari with your own kids tucked in close.
    — Kathryn Romeyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 June 2026
  • Victor Nicholas ended up dozing with his head on her shoulder.
    — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026
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 29 Oct. 2026.

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