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
As a result, Patel languished in jail for more than six weeks without bond, his lawyers said.
—
Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Fox was struck that such an important work by a major artist could be languishing in literal obscurity.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
One such bill passed in the House in 2024 but languished in the Senate.
—Tressie McMillan Cottom, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026
The referral, which also included claims that Mills violated campaign-finance and financial-disclosure laws, languished for more than a year.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for languish
Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Fox was struck that such an important work by a major artist could be languishing in literal obscurity.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
One such bill passed in the House in 2024 but languished in the Senate.
—Tressie McMillan Cottom, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026
The referral, which also included claims that Mills violated campaign-finance and financial-disclosure laws, languished for more than a year.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for languish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languish
Verb
-
When Dreher wrote The Benedict Option, during the Obama presidency, his primary concern was how to keep faith alive at a time when Christianity seemed to be fading away.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Relationship endings are possible under this influence — don’t insist on forcing a connection that’s trying to fade.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Investors don’t want to inadvertently cheer on weakening job growth that could negatively impact consumer spending and economic growth, hurting stock prices.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The National Weather Service says the ridge keeping California dry since last month is beginning to weaken.—
Monica Garske,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The movies that would be honored here, by contrast, were bolder than the Spirits usually go, resulting in a truly independent raft of winners.—
Film Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Despite going 0-2, Wembanyama led the World team in scoring in both games with 14 points in the opener and 19 in the third game.—
Greg Beacham,
Twin Cities,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In fact, one shopper even credits it with improving sagging corners around the mouth and forehead creasing.—
Melanie Fincher,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Unlike your average and typical pillow that sags over time, this one has hotel-like appeal because of its precise border for a structured, refined look.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That shutdown ended with a promise to vote on extending the subsidies, which failed.—
Riley Beggin,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Previous versions of the bill failed to gain traction in both chambers last year.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In a sign of how bitter relations have sunk, in January star Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman had his Indian Premier League contract abruptly canceled, prompting Dhaka to ban broadcasts of the league in retaliation.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
-
And when they’re paired with a design like The Company Store’s feather motif, they’re transformed into an even more opulent set to sink into night after night.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In 1856, violence came to Washington, too, when a South Carolina congressman brutally caned the Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner on the floor of the Senate, two days after Sumner delivered a withering antislavery speech.—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
-
California’s veterans deserve thoughtful, forward-looking policy that reflects their reality — not theories that wither in the face of the domestic battles that veterans should never have to fight.—
Irene Watkins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Languish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languish. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
