1
as in to dry
to lose liveliness, force, or freshness
shortly after the moon landing, interest in the space program withered the old man seemed to wither suddenly upon turning 80
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to fade
to lose bodily strength or vigor
if he's left on his own, he'll just wither and die
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wither
Instead of a withering blast that annihilates you instantly, the real killer would be a highly elevated risk of cancer and degenerative diseases over time.
—
Alan Bradley, Space.com, 8 May 2026
At a raucous commission meeting Tuesday, City Manager Rickelle Williams faced a storm of withering accusations in her initial job evaluation — mostly from Mayor Dean Trantalis, who eagerly supported hiring Williams last year but now scorns her in public.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2026
Vladimir Putin is losing the Russian people as the economy and his war machine go in reverse amid withering Ukrainian attacks.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 3 May 2026
Decades of relations built through OPEC and other organizations withered under fire, while Western and Israeli ties deepened through the Abraham Accords and shared security threats from Iran.
—Judah Taub, semafor.com, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wither
Alan Bradley, Space.com, 8 May 2026
At a raucous commission meeting Tuesday, City Manager Rickelle Williams faced a storm of withering accusations in her initial job evaluation — mostly from Mayor Dean Trantalis, who eagerly supported hiring Williams last year but now scorns her in public.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2026
Vladimir Putin is losing the Russian people as the economy and his war machine go in reverse amid withering Ukrainian attacks.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 3 May 2026
Decades of relations built through OPEC and other organizations withered under fire, while Western and Israeli ties deepened through the Abraham Accords and shared security threats from Iran.
—Judah Taub, semafor.com, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wither
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wither
Verb
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Use a squeegee to remove any water remaining on the door, and dry it with a microfiber cloth.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
19 May 2026
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Take a dry microfiber cloth and dry the shower tiles and grout.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
18 May 2026
Verb
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In terms of where to beach, wide stretches of sand in Beach Haven remain some of the Jersey Shore’s most desirable, drawing surfers at sunrise, families hauling coolers and striped umbrellas by midday, and sunset walkers lingering until the sky fades pink over the dunes.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 May 2026
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Inside, customers collect passport stamps, browse racks of worn leather and faded denim and line up for limited-edition tote bags tied to the second annual Vintage Store Day.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
Verb
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The sometimes rough-and-tumble process of transplanting from one pot and growing location to another can cause some plants to wilt.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 May 2026
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Signs of Underwatering If cucumber plants are underwatered, the leaves will appear wilted and may have crispy, curled margins.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The weakened 65-year-old cartel will remain with its five original members—Iran, Iraq, and Venezuela, as well as the Saudis and Kuwaitis—and six oil-producing African nations.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
19 May 2026
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This can weaken and compromise your home’s structural integrity, which could lead to safety hazards and expensive repairs.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Does the couch have a tendency to sag?—
Meg Kernahan,
Architectural Digest,
15 May 2026
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The cushions will stay bouncy thanks to sinuous springs that prevent sagging over time.—
Christina Shepherd McGuire,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
Verb
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The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Shania Twain, are airing live on Prime Video and Amazon Music from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, meaning some of the genre's biggest stars are going home with new accolades under their belts.—
Jack Irvin,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
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Matching the anything-goes vibe that flows through the resort, the breezy restaurant pavilion is merely a suggestion—ordering lunch or dinner to your private terrace, a candlelit table on the beach, or one of the dozen-or-so secret seating nooks scattered around the property is actively encouraged.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
Verb
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In early 2022, after the state failed to pass a ban on such care for minors, Paxton wrote a legal opinion declaring transition care for minors to be child abuse.—
Jo Yurcaba,
NBC news,
16 May 2026
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The city filed a lawsuit saying the federal government failed to perform required reviews of how the project would affect the health and safety of residents and the environment.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wither.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wither. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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