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 Unfortunately, despite the best bipartisan intentions of all concerned over the last 18 months, any initiative for a federal TV and film has withered on the Executive Office and Congressional vine. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026 Nathan Hochman has been the subject of withering criticism from Mayor Karen Bass, former cops and even some of his own prosecutors. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026 Atlanta City Council is directing city departments to beef up efforts to protect residents from the growing threat of extreme heat after the city recently faced withering critiques from homeless services groups for its response to a recent heatwave. — Drew Kann, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026 The United States allowed many of its strategic industries, such as shipbuilding, to wither. — Phillips Payson O’Brien, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wither

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wither

Verb

Great at absorbing moisture while still preventing the growth of bacteria, these socks will dry quickly and minimize irritation.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
Users usually chew it for an effect similar to amphetamines, or it is dried and boiled to create a stimulant tea.

— Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of dry

Verb

Bitcoin has been in a prolonged slump since October, and BTIG noted that a similar surge in January 2023 initially faded before the cryptocurrency found support around its 200-day moving average.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
The crimson hue that may have been visible at the height of the eclipse will gradually fade as the crescent of the lunar disk exposed to direct sunlight grows, and normality reasserts itself over the natural satellite.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of fade

Verb

But the White House cut its offices and weakened its ability to follow up with cases, as well as slashed funding to research on disparities that people of color face in getting diagnosed and attaining resources for disabilities.

— Claire Sibonney, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
Higher debt can also weaken economic growth by crowding out private investment.

— Carolyn Bourdeaux, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of weaken

Verb

Officers quickly converged to help subdue the teen, with Merks pulling the gun from the backside of his jeans, which had sagged below his mid-thigh.

— Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
The evacuation came after unpermitted construction work in the garage caused ceilings to sag and exposed rebar.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of sag

Verb

Unconventional living situations going viral With rentals more expensive than ever, social media posts on how to save money in New York often rack up thousands of likes.

— Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Some go years before receiving an accurate diagnosis or proper medical care.

— Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of go

Verb

Merrill went 0 for 5 on his bobblehead night, striking out on three pitches with the bases loaded in both the eighth and 11th, and also failed to make a diving catch on Flores' RBI double.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
But ordinary Iranians also turn to cryptocurrency as a way to opt out of a failing system.

— Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026