as in faded
to lose bodily strength or vigor
older people, especially, were languishing during the prolonged heat wave
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Recent Examples of languished
So far, however, most proposals to fix these problems at the state and local level have languished.
—
Alisa Kaplan, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 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
Waldman’s killing languished as a cold case for decades, but her children refused to accept not knowing.
—August Phillips, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
That lawsuit, which languished in court for five years, included a class-action component and accumulated several hundred plaintiffs.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
The mine languished for a decade, until a new company, Molycorp, tried, unsuccessfully, to compete with China and revive the business.
—Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
The legislation was approved after the murder case languished for several years without a trial.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Since the mid-1980s, when the nation (led by California) shut down public mental hospitals (a response to patient abuses and a tax-cutting move), that segment of the health care world has languished.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Wendy's has also languished, losing 15% year to date.
—Itzel Franco, CNBC, 15 Mar. 2026
Alisa Kaplan, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 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
Waldman’s killing languished as a cold case for decades, but her children refused to accept not knowing.
—August Phillips, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
That lawsuit, which languished in court for five years, included a class-action component and accumulated several hundred plaintiffs.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
The mine languished for a decade, until a new company, Molycorp, tried, unsuccessfully, to compete with China and revive the business.
—Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
The legislation was approved after the murder case languished for several years without a trial.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Since the mid-1980s, when the nation (led by California) shut down public mental hospitals (a response to patient abuses and a tax-cutting move), that segment of the health care world has languished.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Wendy's has also languished, losing 15% year to date.
—Itzel Franco, CNBC, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languished
Verb
-
The idea of a quick military solution has faded, but no serious political alternative has taken its place.—
Kazem Kazerounian,
Hartford Courant,
1 Apr. 2026
-
And the beetles faded from her days without her noticing.—
María Ospina,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But, Scanlon noted, the budget was weakened by federal policy changes.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Shipping and insurance costs, inflation and uncertainty are on the rise, and with currencies in developing countries now weakened, imports such as fuel and food are even more expensive for residents.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Heaps of leathery brown prickly pear pads sagged into the dirt and ash.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
More than a half dozen homes were deemed unsafe as nearby roads and sidewalks sagged.—
Nick Caloway,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Royals' left-hander went six innings and allowed four hits and a walk while striking out eight.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The Cubs went from playing in 100-plus degree weather for over a week in Arizona to wind chills in the upper 20s on Wednesday afternoon at Wrigley Field in their 6-2 win over the Angels.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The study said the debris could have come from a foreign ship that sank—given the lack of information from the Russian side, who could say?—
Ian Frazier,
New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2026
-
As revenue sank, the economy collapsed amid soaring inflation.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The amateurish stickup failed, fast.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
-
City leaders in Lake Dallas got more than an earful from residents who believe they were failed during a crisis in late March when a house explosion critically injured Jessica Bailey Lopez.—
Marvin Hurst,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Languished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languished. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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