Synonyms of perish

perish

verb

ˈper-ish 

1

as in to die

to stop living

12 people perished in the plane crash

Synonyms & Similar Words

• die
• fall
• succumb
• depart
• disappear
• pass (on)
• expire
• demise
• end
• go
• pass away
• buy it
• fade
• check out
• exit
• step out
• croak
• decease
• part
• kick in
• snuff it
• kick off
• pop off
• drop
• fail
• peg out
• kick the bucket
• give up the ghost
• bite the dust
• flatline
• conk (out)
• consume
• predecease
• dry up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• live
• breathe
• come to
• exist
• revive
• be
• thrive
• linger
• flourish
• subsist
• prosper

2

as in to disintegrate

chiefly British to go through decomposition

after being left out in the summer heat, the milk perished and had to be thrown out

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disintegrate
• decompose
• rot
• decay
• fall apart
• deteriorate
• spoil
• putrefy
• fester
• corrupt
• mold
• crumble
• descend
• foul
• turn
• break down
• molder
• contaminate
• rust
• pollute
• sour
• wither
• go to seed
• defile
• mortify
• ferment
• taint
• curdle
• degenerate
• turn off
• sink
• decline
• addle
• dilapidate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• grow
• develop
• ripen
• mature
• restore
• age
• renew
• refresh
• purify
• improve
• better
• cleanse
• integrate
• assemble
• compose
• ameliorate
• meliorate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of perish

Detailed wage reports from the California Employment Development Department for the seven employees who perished show no reportable income from Devastating Pyrotechnics, despite several of the men having been associated with the company for years. —Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2026

The family’s birds, cats and dogs also perished in the fire. —Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026

Two men died last month within days of each other at Rikers, and 15 people perished in custody last year. —Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026

The three perished when the plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. —Erin Jensen, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026