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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of withering
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
9 June 2026
Rick Dolliver, a lobsterman who also runs a popular bar in the town, gave a withering verdict on the Democratic hopeful.
—
David Millward,
The Washington Examiner,
7 June 2026
The Chanel suits, dark glasses, nasal voice and withering judgments became part of the national image.
—
ABC News,
6 June 2026
Months of withering brutal weather gave way to soccer abandon on the turf, as two of Ottawa’s best junior teams clashed in the sunlight.
—
Paula Newton,
CNN Money,
6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for withering
Verb
Brooke Lynn Heights can play the withering queen bee role she’s given in her sleep, while Marcia Marcia Marcia and Symoné prove amusingly bitchy lackies.
—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
9 June 2026
Rick Dolliver, a lobsterman who also runs a popular bar in the town, gave a withering verdict on the Democratic hopeful.
—
David Millward,
The Washington Examiner,
7 June 2026
The Chanel suits, dark glasses, nasal voice and withering judgments became part of the national image.
—
ABC News,
6 June 2026
Months of withering brutal weather gave way to soccer abandon on the turf, as two of Ottawa’s best junior teams clashed in the sunlight.
—
Paula Newton,
CNN Money,
6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for withering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withering
Noun
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The new documentary reveals some of the interpersonal and business conflicts that led to the disintegration of the classic EW&F line-up, boldly highlighting the various triumphs and failings of leader Maurice White who died in 2016 at age 74 from Parkinson’s disease.
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These failings dated from 2012 to May 2025.
Verb
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Ensure the stain is fully gone before drying—once heat sets it in, removal becomes significantly harder.
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Keep a handful near your washing machine or drying rack for blouses, dresses, workout wear, or delicate pieces that should skip the dryer.
Verb
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More than a week after the disaster, search-and-rescue operations remain active, though hopes of finding additional survivors are rapidly fading.
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Thousands remain missing more than a week after the twin earthquakes struck Venezuela and hope for finding survivors is fading into and effort to recover remains.
Noun
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The National Institute of Standards and Technology said long-term corrosion and the failure of multiple slab-to-column connections likely contributed to a progressive collapse after weeks of structural deterioration.
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Heston is at his most gleefully cynical as Robert Thorn, a police detective who lives and works in a New York City decimated by environmental deterioration and dwindling resources.
Verb
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Underwatering Gardening expert Jen McDonald says that underwatering is the most common reason for petunias wilting.
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While wearing the glasses, a wearer can ask questions about topics in one's surroundings, like asking for more information about a landmark on vacation, identifying care instructions for a wilting plant or discovering a full recipe for a dish at a favorite restaurant.
Verb
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Goldman Sachs predicts a sustained dollar weakening in 2026, driven by fiscal concerns and shifting global asset demand, marking a structural shift rather than a cyclical dip.
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Ukrainian officials describe the strikes as a campaign to pressure Moscow to end the war by undermining its military logistics and supply lines and weakening its ability to mount assaults along the front.
Noun
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While alcohol may transiently improve mood and ease social anxiety, long-term alcohol use can lead to a worsening of mood, cognition and sleep, which can further compound use.
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Limited evidence suggests that people with genetic deficiencies of CoQ10 who abruptly stop taking it can experience a worsening of kidney function.
Verb
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An InStyle writer recommends the RoC Derm Correxion Retinol Firming Serum Stick for her grandma’s sagging turkey neck.
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Meanwhile, sagging electrical lines threatened to bring some rail services to a standstill.
Cite this Entry
“Withering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withering. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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