as in fades
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 languishes
The stock traded at well above $200 in 2021 but now languishes at about $84.
—
John Dorfman, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Add a Showstopper If the focal point of your container garden languishes at the end of summer, replace it with a fresh, eye-catching plant.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Sep. 2025
Replacing Jack Doohan with Franco Colapinto after just six races into the 2025 season, the Argentinian has failed to impress as the team languishes at the bottom of the standings.
—Alex Harrington, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025
Sectors that have lagged year to date, including health care, energy and real estate, are outperforming this week — while tech languishes.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025
While the former feels intense pressure to provide for his family, the latter languishes as a result of a lifelong lack of love and encouragement.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
Meanwhile the naira currency languishes at record lows against the dollar.
—Chinedu Asadu, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024
In Lower Manhattan, 40 Wall Street languishes, with tenants vacating the office tower and profits falling.
—Dan Alexander, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
John Dorfman, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Add a Showstopper If the focal point of your container garden languishes at the end of summer, replace it with a fresh, eye-catching plant.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Sep. 2025
Replacing Jack Doohan with Franco Colapinto after just six races into the 2025 season, the Argentinian has failed to impress as the team languishes at the bottom of the standings.
—Alex Harrington, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025
Sectors that have lagged year to date, including health care, energy and real estate, are outperforming this week — while tech languishes.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025
While the former feels intense pressure to provide for his family, the latter languishes as a result of a lifelong lack of love and encouragement.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
Meanwhile the naira currency languishes at record lows against the dollar.
—Chinedu Asadu, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024
In Lower Manhattan, 40 Wall Street languishes, with tenants vacating the office tower and profits falling.
—Dan Alexander, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languishes
Verb
-
As the air turns crisp and the daylight fades a little earlier each evening, the season invites us to slow down and savor the outdoors.—
Allison Tibaldi,
USA Today,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Popularity fades quickly if a leader avoids tough calls.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This special assurance for a specific competitor weakens competition.—
Alden Abbott,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
This is seen in conditions such as rickets, which softens and weakens the bones, often seen in children.—
Anthea Levi,
Health,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Slater goes deep twice The list of batters who can claim legitimate ownage against Kershaw is small.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
20 Sep. 2025
-
The same goes for its overall profile, though, there’s a lot going on in its front fascia—the side venting is seemingly there for function, but the massive grille is… a lot.—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Even when synchronization works technically, legal enforceability often fails.—
Sean Lee,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
The Democratic Party is in shambles because it has become consumed by leadership that wants to have cerebral debates over abstract concepts, and the Republican Party brand, vis-à-vis its own leadership, fails to appeal to greater masses because of its fascination with uninformed arrogance.—
Fabian Naranjo Gonzalez,
Oc Register,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
People have to decide instantly whether to open or delay, and if the subject line does not signal importance, the email sinks to the bottom of the inbox.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
But the same storm that ignites Ivy’s career as a successful restaurateur sinks Theo’s tenure as an architect and causes his breathtaking (albeit not entirely sound) maritime museum to crumble.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Languishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languishes. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share