hibernating

verb

present participle of hibernate
as in sleeping
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 hibernating Ticks go dormant in temperatures below 40 degrees, hibernating beneath leaf litter and snow. — Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 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 If your grill has been hibernating for a few months, start with a deep clean using a wire-free brush and vinegar. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 16 May 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hibernating
  1. sleeping
  2. resting
  3. lounging
  4. chilling
  5. dozing
  6. playing
Verb
  • One of those, the USS Gerald R Ford, also reported problems earlier this year, from toilets that weren’t working to a laundry fire that briefly stopped combat operations and destroyed some sleeping quarters.
    — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Too much caffeine can cause a racing heart, shakiness, anxiety, headaches, elevated blood pressure, and trouble sleeping.
    — Dr. Onaola Adedeji, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of sleeping
Verb
  • Consider an older adult recovering from a hospital stay who spends the afternoon arranging transportation to follow-up appointments instead of resting.
    — Aimée K. Dailey, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Lindsay Clancy's Massachusetts murder trial resumed Monday in Plymouth Superior Court, with the prosecution resting its case.
    — Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of resting
Verb
  • With a sizable beam of 45 feet, Whisper offers ample space for both lounging and entertaining across five decks.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 17 Aug. 2026
  • In an Instagram carousel posted on Saturday, May 15, the actress, 53, shared a sweet snap of herself and her lookalike daughter, 22, lounging in coordinating swimsuits.
    — Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of lounging
Verb
  • Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was seen over the weekend chilling on the field with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Olivia Ponton after practice.
    — Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • If the dough is still too sticky after chilling, mix in a small amount of flour, lightly dust your hands and work surface with flour, or pipe the dough instead of rolling or shaping it by hand, David suggests.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of chilling
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 dozing
Verb
  • Janssens would be one of those defenders playing in front of Suzuki in a new environment.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Manchester City’s defence was wide open in Sunday’s Community Shield defeat to Arsenal and that could be a sign of things to come now that Rodri is playing for Barcelona in La Liga.
    — Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of playing

Browse Nearby Words

hibernates
hibernating
hibernation
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Cite this Entry

“Hibernating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hibernating. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hibernating

Nglish: Translation of hibernating for Spanish Speakers

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