Synonyms of wilt

wilt

verb

ˈwilt 

1

as in to droop

to be limp from lack of water or vigor

the plants wilted after I forgot to water them for three whole days

Synonyms & Similar Words

• droop
• hang
• sag
• fall
• subside
• loll
• flag
• collapse
• slump
• crumple
• swag
• drop
• sink
• slouch
• yield
• cave (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stiffen
• distend
• rise
• straighten
• unbend
• uncurl

2

as in to fade

to lose bodily strength or vigor

she had wilted a bit after walking around the hot and humid city

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fade
• weaken
• sag
• go
• fail
• wither
• sink
• droop
• decay
• deteriorate
• languish
• lag
• waste (away)
• flag
• emaciate
• rot
• yield
• wear out
• break down
• degenerate
• run down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• recover
• recuperate
• rally
• rebound
• gain
• convalesce

3

as in to dry

to lose liveliness, force, or freshness

after six solid hours of painting, his energy was starting to wilt

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dry
• fade
• wither
• shrivel
• wane
• diminish
• decrease
• mummify
• decline
• wizen
• lessen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• revive
• flourish
• thrive
• bloom
• freshen
• grow
• prosper
• increase
• develop
• wax
• peak
• surge
• crest

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of wilt

The flowers, bold yellow, are visited by bees, butterflies and birds while the rest of the surrounding wildlife wait for the petals to wilt and the seeds to drop, said Jackson County’s Deputy Director of Park Operations Tina Spallo. — Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026

To my horror, the blooms that were beautifully open two days before my party had actually started wilting and dropping petals by the time the day of the party arrived. — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 23 July 2026

When overapplied, baking soda can cause plants to wilt, become stunted, develop leaf chlorosis or yellowing, and even die. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 July 2026

Cities that include Minneapolis, Des Moines and Indianapolis will wilt under heat index temperatures nearing or even exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit for most of the week. — Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 14 July 2026