1
as in to die
to stop living
12 people perished in the plane crash
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to decompose
chiefly British
to go through decomposition
after being left out in the summer heat, the milk perished and had to be thrown out
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of perish
Over the next few years, humanities departments will have to paradigm-shift or perish.
—
Sigal Samuel, Vox, 2 June 2025
The custom survived for almost another 300 years, finally perishing in 1584.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 29 May 2025
In Andor, most of those who perish in the fight are lost to the history of this far, far away galaxy, their names never known past those who loved them most.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 May 2025
Language begins to perish: The same words recur, deadeningly.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for perish
Sigal Samuel, Vox, 2 June 2025
The custom survived for almost another 300 years, finally perishing in 1584.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 29 May 2025
In Andor, most of those who perish in the fight are lost to the history of this far, far away galaxy, their names never known past those who loved them most.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 May 2025
Language begins to perish: The same words recur, deadeningly.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for perish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perish
Verb
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Sly Stone, a funk pioneer whose influence and impact as leader of the musical group Sly and the Family Stone was as enduring as his career was brief, died Monday in Los Angeles.—
Rob Tannenbaum,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
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Wayne Lewis, founding member of hit R&B group Atlantic Starr, died on Thursday (June 5).—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
9 June 2025
Verb
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Molasses is food for soil microbes—tiny living organisms like bacteria, fungi, and protozoa—that decompose organic matter, improve soil structure, and make nutrients available to plants, Fox says.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 June 2025
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The microbes perform vital functions like decomposing organic matter, improving water-holding capacity, cycling nutrients, and suppressing pathogens to improve plant resilience and overall soil health.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
24 May 2025
Verb
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What once looked like a promising season is falling apart for the Kansas City Royals.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2025
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Americans celebrate Flag Day, which falls on Saturday, June 14, in many ways, including parades, ceremonies and educational events designed to encourage respect for the flag and its significance.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
15 June 2025
Verb
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Guinness noted that the actor had to jump out of a helicopter from a minimum height of 7,500 feet — sometimes while wearing a 50-pound camera rig — and that the parachute could only burn for about three seconds before completely disintegrating, forcing Cruise to deploy a backup chute.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
5 June 2025
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Instead the vehicle spun out of control and disintegrated during atmospheric reentry.—
Gayoung Lee,
Scientific American,
28 May 2025
Verb
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Don’t constantly flood the new grass as this can lead to rot problems especially in shady spots.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 June 2025
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Since then, the infestation has worsened, the complaint says, with students at times finding decomposing and rotting mice under the sinks.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
5 June 2025
Verb
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However, when viruses were exposed to sunlight, many of them did not survive as long, decaying in under 24 hours.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
13 Mar. 2025
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The result was not only environmental catastrophe but license for unchecked consumption of cheap plastic goods that can take a few minutes to use but hundreds of years to decay.—
Scott W. Stern,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perish. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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