languish

as in to fade
to lose bodily strength or vigor older people, especially, were languishing during the prolonged heat wave

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of languish Most Americans support these common-sense reforms that languish in Congress. Scott Peters, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025 The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has languished for months as peace talks continue to see little progress and an escalation between the two sides. Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025 The book languished for several years because the government censor said anyone who read it would never volunteer to fight. New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025 His appeals were repeatedly denied, and his case languished until the Pennsylvania Innocence Project joined his defense team. Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for languish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languish
Verb
  • Mankinlu Maple Leaf Solar Pathway Lights As daylight starts to fade earlier, these cute pathway lights add both charm and function to your yard.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The Trail Blazers faded in the fourth quarter en route to a 118-114 loss to the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • At the same time, leaving grass too long over the winter can shade the soil and weaken the grass.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 31 Oct. 2025
  • In addition to the GOP leaders, most rank-and-file Senate Republicans also oppose repealing the filibuster that’s been slowly weakened by both parties in recent decades for Executive Branch and judicial nominees.
    Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Its share price collapsed a few months after going public, losing a third of its value since the start of the year before Monday's news.
    NPR, NPR, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The honks of wild Canada geese, for instance, fresh out of the Arctic and now high in the clouds going south, signal a change in seasons for me.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The structures were sagging under the weight of so many books.
    Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The dilapidated wooden trim and sagging porticos were spruced up a few years ago after preservationists complained to the Landmarks Preservation Commission, but the upstairs windows reveal glimpses of peeling paint, crumbling plaster, and collapsing ceilings inside.
    Kim Velsey, Curbed, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Joseph Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM, said in a blog post on Wednesday that the currency intervention has failed and predicted a 15%-30% plunge for the peso is highly likely if voters reject Milei again.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Congress failed to pass a budget or temporary funding measure before the federal fiscal year ended on October 1, forcing many federal agencies to cease all non-mandatory operations.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • With the Dodgers loading the bases, Varsho sprinted in on a sinking line drive.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Like Obama, Mamdani has succeeded despite liabilities that would have sunk a less gifted candidate.
    Ben Adler, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • But after withering on the Houston bench for two years in an overcrowded forward rotation, he’s primed for a leap in Year 3.
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • This week’s chilly temperatures may have Hoosiers shivering but garden plants may be withering.
    Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Languish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languish. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

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