vegetate

as in to relax
to spend time doing things that do not require much thought or effort; to be very lazy or inactive I just spent the weekend vegetating at home. I'm worried that after I retire I'll just sit at home, watch TV, and vegetate.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 vegetate About 30 minutes later, rescuers made voice contact with Blessing but were unable to reach him until about midnight, due to the steep and thickly vegetated terrain, Fish and Game said. Nick Stoico, BostonGlobe.com, 17 July 2023 All the turtles bought on impulse, vegetating in plastic lagoons. Anne Fadiman, Harper’s Magazine , 10 Feb. 2023 Why not vegetate? Jon Michail, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2022 Spores can also persist indefinitely in contaminated soil and may vegetate in grazeland, which could further spread the infection among South Dakota’s cattle. From Usa Today Network and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 29 Sep. 2022 See all Example Sentences for vegetate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vegetate
Verb
  • In these latter clips, Callas is kind of goofing off, relaxing, letting her hair down.
    Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Discover world-class shopping, indulge in exquisite food and beverages, relax in the waterfront precincts, and experience an array of events and theatre productions.
    Roger Sands, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • That result helps Fagin decide how vigorously to exercise each day—or when to rest instead.
    Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Allow to rest and further dry out while oven heats up.
    Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The suit filed Saturday in U.S. District Court asks that a federal judge prohibit ICE, its acting head and the acting secretary of Homeland Security from conducting immigration raids in Chicago when the intention of the raids chills free speech.
    Peter Breen, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
  • The unresolved question hanging between him and his father has chilled their relationship.
    Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 26 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near vegetate

Cite this Entry

“Vegetate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vegetate. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

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