perish

verb

per·​ish ˈper-ish 

ˈpe-rish

perished; perishing; perishes

intransitive verb

1

: to become destroyed or ruined : cease to exist

recollection of a past already long since perished

—Philip Sherrard

guard against your mistakes or your attempts (perish the thought) to cheat

—C. B. Davis

2

chiefly British : deteriorate, spoil

transitive verb

1

chiefly British : to cause to die : destroy

2

: weaken, benumb

Synonyms

• check out
• conk (out)
• croak [slang]
• decease
• demise
• depart
• die
• drop
• end
• exit
• expire
• fall
• flatline
• go
• kick in [slang]
• kick off [slang]
• part
• pass (on)
• pass away
• peg out [chiefly British]
• pop off
• step out
• succumb

Examples of perish in a Sentence

Two people perished in the fire.

The sailors perished at sea.

The civilization perished after 500 years.

Many ancient languages have perished over time.

The rubber will perish with age.

Recent Examples on the Web

At least 168 persons perished and nearly another 700 were injured. —Dominic Fulco Iii, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2024

Inadequate rescue efforts left many who survived the initial quake and aftershocks to perish in the rubble. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 21 June 2024

Over 1,000 individuals perished in the sweltering heat of Saudi Arabia this year during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, according to reports. —Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 21 June 2024

After an initial storm death toll of four, the governor told CNN a fifth person perished during the cleanup after getting overheated and having a heart attack. —Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 27 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English perisshen, from Anglo-French periss-, stem of perir, from Latin perire, from per- detrimentally + ire to go — more at per-, issue entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing perish

• perish the thought

Kids Definition

perish

verb

per·​ish ˈper-ish 

: to pass away completely : become destroyed