Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for hibernation. Search instead for hypernation.
Definitions

hibernation

[hahy-ber-ney-shuhn] / ˌhaɪ bərˈneɪ ʃən /
NOUN
idleness
Synonyms
STRONG
dawdling dormancy droning inactivity indolence inertia leisure lethargy loafing shiftlessness sloth slothfulness slouch slowness sluggishness stupor torpidity torpor trifling truancy unemployment
WEAK
dilly-dallying goof-off time joblessness laze lazing loitering otiosity own sweet time pottering time on one's hands time to burn time to kill time-wasting vegetating
Antonyms
STRONG
activity energy life liveliness vigor
WEAK
action ambition busyness diligence employment hustle industry labor occupation work
NOUN
inactivity
Synonyms
STRONGEST
lethargy sluggishness stagnation
STRONG
dawdling dormancy droning idleness indolence inertia inertness leisure loafing shiftlessness sloth slothfulness slouch slowness stupor torpidity torpor trifling truancy unemployment
WEAK
dilly-dallying goof-off time inoperativeness joblessness laze lazing loitering otiosity own sweet time pottering time on one's hands time to burn time to kill time-wasting vegetating
Antonyms
STRONGEST
energy vigor
STRONG
employment work
NOUN
inertness
Synonyms
STRONG
dawdling dormancy droning idleness inactivity indolence inertia leisure lethargy loafing shiftlessness sloth slothfulness slouch slowness sluggishness stagnation stupor torpidity torpor trifling truancy unemployment
WEAK
dilly-dallying goof-off time inoperativeness joblessness laze lazing loitering otiosity own sweet time pottering time on one's hands time to burn time to kill time-wasting vegetating
Antonyms
STRONG
activity busyness employment energy life liveliness vigor work
NOUN
inoperativeness
Synonyms
WEAK
dawdling dilly-dallying dormancy droning goof-off time idleness inactivity indolence inertia inertness joblessness laze lazing leisure lethargy loafing loitering otiosity own sweet time pottering shiftlessness sloth slothfulness slouch slowness sluggishness stagnation stupor time on one's hands time to burn time to kill time-wasting torpidity torpor trifling truancy unemployment vegetating
NOUN
shuteye
Synonyms
STRONG
bedtime catnap coma dormancy doze dream dullness lethargy nap nod repose rest sandman siesta slumber snooze torpidity torpor trance
WEAK
few z's forty winks land of Nod sack time slumberland the arms of Morpheus
Antonyms
STRONG
action activity awakening consciousness energy liveliness wakefulness
NOUN
sleep
Synonyms
STRONGEST
coma dream slumber trance
STRONG
bedtime catnap dormancy doze dullness lethargy nap nod repose rest sandman shuteye siesta snooze torpidity torpor
WEAK
few z's forty winks sack time slumberland
Antonyms
STRONGEST
consciousness wakefulness
STRONG
action activity energy liveliness
WEAK
awakening
NOUN
vegetation
Synonyms
STRONGEST
flora greenery
STRONG
growth herbage inactivity lethargy listlessness verdancy verdure

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Rescue centres said with winters getting "wetter and wetter" and summers getting warmer, fewer hedgehogs were having a full hibernation, leading to health issues and unfamiliar feeding patterns.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2026

Read next: The Fed has gone into hibernation.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 29, 2025

Figuring out how to mimic hibernation, allowing the human body to husband resources during long stretches of transport, could contribute to superiority in space.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 10, 2025

Some will double their weight to prepare for wintertime hibernation, often scavenging for calories for up to 20 hours per day.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2025

There had to be at least a hundred annotations, about the Nightbeast’s diet, its preferred season for hibernation, even its favorite snack.

From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.