as in boredom
physical or mental inertness faced with a class forever enveloped in a miasma of apathy and intellectual hebetude, the professor had little hope of kindling an interest in medieval European history

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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 hebetude The leaden weight of an irremediable idleness descended upon General Feraud, who having no resources within himself sank into a state of awe-inspiring hebetude. Ruth Walker, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Sep. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hebetude
Noun
  • Without it, dogs can develop chronic boredom, which may escalate into depression or anxiety.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
  • The plan should include a mix of cardio, strength training and flexibility exercises, with a gradual increase in intensity and variety to prevent boredom and injuries.
    Tor Constantino, MBA, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Bailey recommends that people watch out for signs of lethargy, runny nose, or discharge around the eyes.
    Sarah Boden, NPR, 22 Jan. 2025
  • But to many, there appears to be a lethargy that is out of place with the club’s precarious predicament.
    Rob Tanner, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Symptoms of severe illness include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, stupor, tremors, seizures, paralysis, or coma.
    Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 4 Sep. 2024
  • First, there was the chest-down, sort of squaring-up motion that drunkards do to bouncers, to be followed by a strike which could not even be conceived of in drunken stupors.
    Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 30 June 2024

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“Hebetude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hebetude. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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