1
as in dries
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fades
to lose bodily strength or vigor
if he's left on his own, he'll just wither and die
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withers
Verb
-
The eco mode, or low heat setting, on a dryer dryer dries your clothes at a lower temperature over a longer period of time.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
1 Feb. 2026 -
When the board dries, apply a coat of oil and beeswax cream to remoisturize the wood.—
Lizzy Briskin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Finally, the nebula fades away and only a white dwarf is left behind.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Feb. 2026
-
City of London skyline with 20 Fenchurch Street, affectionately nicknamed the Walkie Talkie as light fades at dusk on 27th November 2025 in London, United Kingdom.—
Hugh Leask,Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When the vortex weakens, that tight circle becomes wavier, akin to how a slow-moving river tends to meander in bends across the landscape, Swain says.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
9 Feb. 2026
-
In contrast to conventional recycling, which weakens fibers and limits how they can be reused, Uplift360’s non-degenerative method produces material that can go straight back into high-performance supply chains.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Unlike your average and typical pillow that sags over time, this one has hotel-like appeal because of its precise border for a structured, refined look.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Queen of minimalism, Janet has essentially just set type in panels—but the way the background sags like a deflating hot-air balloon, with the type recessed into it, is so wry and brilliant.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
George built it in the early 18th century, the story goes, to accommodate his mistress, Melusine von der Schulenburg, Duchess of Kendal.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
5 Feb. 2026
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The legacy of the Luka Doncic trade goes way beyond sports.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Too thick of a mascara coat, and suddenly my gaze droops.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The cream should hold a soft, semi-sturdy peak that gently droops at the tip without collapsing entirely.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
22 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Withers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withers. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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