WITHER Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

wither

verb

ˈwi-t͟hər

Definition of wither

as in to dry

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

as in to fade

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

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 wither BepiColombo’s laser instrument should confirm how much Mercury is withering as a result of internal cooling, said Gaku Nishiyama, the study’s lead author who is taking part in the space mission. — ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026 As Florida’s winter dry season stretched into a near rainless wet season, the central Everglades has withered into extreme drought conditions. — Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 Everything was growing all at once, all over the place, blooming, withering, and crashing to the earth. — Kendra Nordin Beato, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Aug. 2026 Featuring tons of interviews from whistleblowers and ex-employees, this is a withering critique of capitalism that needs to be seen. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wither

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wither

Verb

Water, detergent, agitation and friction all take a toll, and drying piles on heat and more tumbling.

— Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026
Many of the winners are easy to use, quick to apply, and beginner-friendly, including press-on kits, fast-drying polishes and topcoats, and nourishing base layers.

— Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of dry

Verb

The anger, the criticism, and the frustration of missing an opportunity have faded after a victory over the Giants.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Eleven Swiss cantons have introduced birth allowances over the years, and one study found that the payments increased fertility, mainly among lower-income immigrants, but the effect quickly faded.

— Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of fade

Verb

Add 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water, bring to a simmer, and cook, stirring often, until greens are wilted and have lost about half of their volume, about 4 minutes.

— Julia Sullivan, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026
The outer leaves of the cabbage should look crisp, not wilted or floppy.

— Laura Manzano, Martha Stewart, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of wilt

Verb

People familiar with the deliberations said lawmakers worried the requirements would raise drug prices and weaken national security by revealing the precise locations where lifesaving medications are made.

— Naisha Roy, ProPublica, 18 Sep. 2026
Macron warned that the attacks would not go unanswered and accused Moscow of trying to intimidate Europeans into weakening their support for Ukraine.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of weaken

Verb

In addition to sagging roofs and mold issues, buyers notice minor maintenance issues, including peeling paint, loose door handles, and dripping faucets, Ryan says.

— Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 21 Sep. 2026
But that may not be enough to overcome the collateral damage of the president’s sagging approval rating and soaring fuel prices because of the war.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of sag

Verb

Instead of calling for calm and letting the justice system work, too many political leaders on the left and progressive social influencers either fanned the flames of unrest or failed to act until enormous damage was done.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
Grant starts that particular groundswell early, after failing to sing an impressively low note and being eliminated in Round 1.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026