1
as in to die
to stop living
12 people perished in the plane crash
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to disintegrate
chiefly British
to go through decomposition
after being left out in the summer heat, the milk perished and had to be thrown out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of perish
The couple and Carolyn’s sister, Lauren, all perished in the crash.
—
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 26 Mar. 2026
If the Tribune cannot find the story in the tragic events of a young, dedicated firefighter perishing in an arson fire while searching for victims to rescue, maybe leave this story for the journalists who managed to treat the victims of this story with dignity.
—Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
The other 23 passengers, disoriented and overcome with smoke, perished in the fire.
—Jeff Suess, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Mar. 2026
Although no monument can remember the 168 people who perished that day, the thousands injured or the countless families changed forever by one heinous act, the memorial is tasteful, poignant and impactful.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perish
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 26 Mar. 2026
If the Tribune cannot find the story in the tragic events of a young, dedicated firefighter perishing in an arson fire while searching for victims to rescue, maybe leave this story for the journalists who managed to treat the victims of this story with dignity.
—Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
The other 23 passengers, disoriented and overcome with smoke, perished in the fire.
—Jeff Suess, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Mar. 2026
Although no monument can remember the 168 people who perished that day, the thousands injured or the countless families changed forever by one heinous act, the memorial is tasteful, poignant and impactful.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perish
Verb
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Investigators would spend weeks building their case, combing through nearly 7,000 texts exchanged over the three months before Harold died.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
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Cormorants that tried to clean each other with their beaks died after ingesting the viscous muck.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Or this object, known by the prosaic designation C/2026 A1 (MAPS), could totally disintegrate, vaporized by the fierce heat of our star.—
Tony Hoffman,
PC Magazine,
2 Apr. 2026
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Others, however, remain faint or even fragment or disintegrate entirely.—
Michael d'Estries,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That’s led to a generation of kids being treated as Big Tech guinea pigs and falling student achievement scores.—
Abby McCloskey,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
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The follow-up Saturday just fell short of also being special.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After entering the home, officers found the decomposing body of an 81-year-old woman.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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Over time, the soil improved by decomposing lawn clippings is more absorbent and well-drained.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Shepard uses her last ounce of strength to kill the final hitman before succumbing to her injuries.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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Elaine Dube succumbed to her injuries and died at UMass Medical Center in Worcester.—
Francie Ebert,
NBC news,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Metal stakes resist rot but can rust if not stored properly.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
1 Apr. 2026
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Routine gutter cleaning prevents water damage to your roof and siding, protects your foundation from pooling water, avoids mold, mildew and rot, and keeps pests like insects and rodents from nesting in the debris.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Major dental work to remove her broken and decaying teeth, concentrated nutrition, antibiotics, vaccines, a spay surgery and an introduction to such simple luxuries as an indoor bed and gentle touch have all been part of Gertie’s healing.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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Searching the room for clues, Hole spots a decaying hand arranged on the shelf with the thumb removed and the index finger pointing upwards — to the fifth floor.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perish. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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