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 Last winter was tough for marmots living high in the Colorado mountains, where researchers say two-thirds of one population died while hibernating because of insufficient snow cover. — Brittany Peterson, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hibernating
  1. sleeping
  2. resting
  3. lounging
  4. chilling
  5. dozing
  6. playing
Verb
  • Nothing will keep you from sleeping or distract you from studying like itchy bug bites or the constant sneezing and drippy nose of seasonal allergies.
    — Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
  • After sleeping on a bus bench and a few trips to the hospital, Lugo landed at Holliday's Helping Hands, or HHH, a network of interim housing facilities started by nurse practitioner Katina Holliday.
    — Rina Nakano, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of sleeping
Verb
  • The increasing chances of being taken, whether one is in a church, mosque, school, on a trip to the capital Abuja or resting at home, is a grim reality that should not be the case given Tinubu’s firm campaign pledges.
    — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • And then there were polar bears again, this time resting quietly in the hills.
    — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of resting
Verb
  • Most recently, Céline Dion, Lucy Hale, and Sofia Richie Grainge were spotted in matching ensembles for outdoor activities, casual outings, and lounging at home.
    — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Made with a buttery-soft, lightweight fabric, these comfy pants will make lounging on the couch watching Halloween movies even better thanks to a $25 sale price.
    — Melony Forcier, InStyle, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of lounging
Verb
  • After all, the threat of punishing a school for signing a player could have the effect of chilling a market for that player and thereby harm him.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • This isn’t André 3000’s first time chilling with Scoob and the gang.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 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
  • The service got its name from the original Mechanical Turk, an 18th century chess-playing robot that was actually controlled by a human chess master.
    — Annie Palmer, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
  • If your dog has any dental issues, playing any type of pulling game is not advisable.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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