languish

Definition of languishnext
as in to fade
to lose bodily strength or vigor older people, especially, were languishing during the prolonged heat wave

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 languish So far, however, most proposals to fix these problems at the state and local level have languished. Alisa Kaplan, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026 There are languishing eight-figure listings and embarrassing price cuts. Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 31 Mar. 2026 The high-rise, which connects to Salesforce Park via a skybridge, only has a few floors left that are available for leasing — a formidable turnaround given that its entire office component was languishing on the sublease market less than three years ago. Laura Waxmann, San Francisco Chronicle, 30 Mar. 2026 It’s also been unevenly distributed, with some parts of the Metroplex experiencing major density and prosperity booms while other areas have languished. Trevor Bach, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for languish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languish
Verb
  • The leader of the Ex-Slave Pension Association was later imprisoned on mail fraud charges, and the organization faded away, while the Eagles became one of the pressure groups that eventually led to Social Security.
    Trevor Jackson, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Pensions faded, and a new system of 401(k) retirement savings rewarded Americans for working longer.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But the president contends there is no excuse for the lack of participation now that Iran's navy has been sunk and its air defenses severely weakened.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
  • In the state’s view, that weakens or muddies the legal boundary between the two types of gambling venues.
    Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • About a decade ago, a group of competitive CrossFitters in Charleston, South Carolina, went looking for ways to improve their athletic performance without taking steroids.
    Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
  • The paying public went from raucous to delirious on the next possession, when Curry raced downcourt and splashed a triple off the dribble.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • While lightweight sleepers may not notice much impact, heavier sleepers will likely find their mattresses sag more quickly.
    Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Wrinkles, sun spots and sagging skin have become so demonized, that even teenagers — decades away from this reality — and increasingly men, previously exempt from this ruinous beauty standard, have started to fear, anticipate and prepare for their arrival.
    Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In the video, Woods can be seen wearing a blue polo shirt and leaning against the patrol car while failing the sobriety tests.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
  • In other words, when a job requires multiple steps, creativity, or precision, AI replacements are more likely to fail than succeed.
    Tristan Bove, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Stomach sleepers generally do best with a Firm mattress that prevents their midsection from sinking too deeply into the mattress and maintains proper spinal alignment.
    Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Ready to sink your teeth into a fresh fish taco?
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • At work, communication determines whether ideas wither or rise.
    Ryan Roslansky Aneesh Raman, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Then the strength of their team withered and left them still seeking their first victory under new manager Craig Stammen.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Languish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languish. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on languish

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster