as in failing
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1
as in drying
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
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2
as in fading
to lose bodily strength or vigor
if he's left on his own, he'll just wither and die
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Recent Examples of withering
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Employment doldrums have affected even the state’s hallmark sectors, most obviously Southern California’s withering film and TV production industry and the Bay Area’s high technology concentration.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
For much of those eight years, Powell endured withering public criticism from the president, who named him as chair.
—Steve Liesman, CNBC, 2 Jan. 2026
The ruling party played a secondary role compared to the presidency, withering away and not even meeting for years.
—Yonatan Morse, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for withering
Verb
A little over 18 months later, the activist investor Elliott Investment Management built a stake in Southwest and launched a withering campaign that called for sweeping board changes, including the removal of Jordan and his then-chairman, Gary Kelly.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Employment doldrums have affected even the state’s hallmark sectors, most obviously Southern California’s withering film and TV production industry and the Bay Area’s high technology concentration.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
For much of those eight years, Powell endured withering public criticism from the president, who named him as chair.
—Steve Liesman, CNBC, 2 Jan. 2026
The ruling party played a secondary role compared to the presidency, withering away and not even meeting for years.
—Yonatan Morse, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for withering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withering
Noun
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The report claimed these changes were made to minimize the city and fire department’s failings.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Feb. 2026
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Foster acknowledged state efforts to hold the district accountable have at times been justified, including in 2023 when TEA investigated chronic failings in the district’s special education department.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This quick-drying pick is offered in three colors and is a great place to store wet sponges and scrubbers, as well as soap dispensers.—
Jamie Weissman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2026
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Keep separate towels for drying hands and wiping down the counter.—
Ashley Chalmers,
The Spruce,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In the crushing depths of the ocean or the vacuum of deep space, one of the key threats to technology is the fading battery.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
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Amid the recent furore, that trust and respect seem to be all but fading.—
Billy Stockwell,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The report identifies three massive, offsetting policy developments as the primary drivers of this fiscal deterioration.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
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The complaint includes several photographs of deterioration and hazards.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The flowers depressed her, especially those already wilting.—
Allegra Goodman,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
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Houseplants that are already wilting, suffering from root rot, or infested with pests shouldn't be watered with rice water, notes Harryson.—
Lauren David,
Martha Stewart,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But the big problem is why the dollar is weakening.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
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Nevertheless, proponents of the theory have suggested without evidence that the substation’s electromagnetic fields could be damaging players’ soft tissues and weakening their tendons.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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If your skin reaction is severe, worsening, persistent, or associated with allergy symptoms, get prompt medical attention.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
26 Jan. 2026
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Over three years of follow-up, people who received the higher dose of the treatment showed slower worsening of their movement and daily functioning than a control group that did not receive the therapy.—
William A. Haseltine,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Body oils can help tighten the look of mildly sagging or crepey skin by improving hydration and overall skin health.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
5 Feb. 2026
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Also, to watch for sagging ridgelines, drooping ceilings, water leaks on interior walls and ceilings, jammed doors, cracked interior walls near the center of the home and creaking sounds, according to State Farm.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Withering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withering. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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