as in to fade
to lose bodily strength or vigor
older people, especially, were languishing during the prolonged heat wave
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Recent Examples of languish
Also, in a game that requires the quick twitch of athleticism, Kobe Bryant, post-surgically repaired Achilles, never looked the same while languishing on a Lakers team that never won more than 27 games in his final three years.
—
Candace Buckner, New York Times, 14 May 2026
Investors are unlikely to see the share price keep languishing and be content with the status quo.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 13 May 2026
The biggest piece of housing legislation in a generation has languished on Capitol Hill because of lawmakers’ objections to a provision negotiated by the White House.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 7 May 2026
But the sad but simple reality is that New York, like other cities and states over the decades, have left the mentally ill to languish in jails, on streets, in nursing homes and on subways without adequate care or support.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for languish
Candace Buckner, New York Times, 14 May 2026
Investors are unlikely to see the share price keep languishing and be content with the status quo.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 13 May 2026
The biggest piece of housing legislation in a generation has languished on Capitol Hill because of lawmakers’ objections to a provision negotiated by the White House.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 7 May 2026
But the sad but simple reality is that New York, like other cities and states over the decades, have left the mentally ill to languish in jails, on streets, in nursing homes and on subways without adequate care or support.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for languish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languish
Verb
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In terms of where to beach, wide stretches of sand in Beach Haven remain some of the Jersey Shore’s most desirable, drawing surfers at sunrise, families hauling coolers and striped umbrellas by midday, and sunset walkers lingering until the sky fades pink over the dunes.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 May 2026
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Inside, customers collect passport stamps, browse racks of worn leather and faded denim and line up for limited-edition tote bags tied to the second annual Vintage Store Day.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
Verb
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The weakened 65-year-old cartel will remain with its five original members—Iran, Iraq, and Venezuela, as well as the Saudis and Kuwaitis—and six oil-producing African nations.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
19 May 2026
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This can weaken and compromise your home’s structural integrity, which could lead to safety hazards and expensive repairs.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 May 2026
Verb
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The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Shania Twain, are airing live on Prime Video and Amazon Music from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, meaning some of the genre's biggest stars are going home with new accolades under their belts.—
Jack Irvin,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
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Matching the anything-goes vibe that flows through the resort, the breezy restaurant pavilion is merely a suggestion—ordering lunch or dinner to your private terrace, a candlelit table on the beach, or one of the dozen-or-so secret seating nooks scattered around the property is actively encouraged.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Does the couch have a tendency to sag?—
Meg Kernahan,
Architectural Digest,
15 May 2026
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The cushions will stay bouncy thanks to sinuous springs that prevent sagging over time.—
Christina Shepherd McGuire,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
Verb
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In early 2022, after the state failed to pass a ban on such care for minors, Paxton wrote a legal opinion declaring transition care for minors to be child abuse.—
Jo Yurcaba,
NBC news,
16 May 2026
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The city filed a lawsuit saying the federal government failed to perform required reviews of how the project would affect the health and safety of residents and the environment.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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But Boeing bucked the uptrend, sinking nearly 5% after news of China's potential order.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
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The coupling that El Niño spawns between the atmosphere and the warmer water along the Equator tends to create sinking winds over the Atlantic that disrupt cloud formations that could otherwise become hurricanes.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Verb
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What becomes clear is that Yesteryear is not actually the withering critique of faux-trad influencers it’s been marketed as.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
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The ask withered under criticism from legislative leaders in both parties.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Languish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languish. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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