1
as in to die
to stop living
12 people perished in the plane crash
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of perish
The couple and Carolyn’s sister, Lauren, all perished in the crash.
—
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 26 Mar. 2026
If the Tribune cannot find the story in the tragic events of a young, dedicated firefighter perishing in an arson fire while searching for victims to rescue, maybe leave this story for the journalists who managed to treat the victims of this story with dignity.
—Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
The other 23 passengers, disoriented and overcome with smoke, perished in the fire.
—Jeff Suess, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Mar. 2026
Although no monument can remember the 168 people who perished that day, the thousands injured or the countless families changed forever by one heinous act, the memorial is tasteful, poignant and impactful.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perish
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 26 Mar. 2026
If the Tribune cannot find the story in the tragic events of a young, dedicated firefighter perishing in an arson fire while searching for victims to rescue, maybe leave this story for the journalists who managed to treat the victims of this story with dignity.
—Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
The other 23 passengers, disoriented and overcome with smoke, perished in the fire.
—Jeff Suess, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Mar. 2026
Although no monument can remember the 168 people who perished that day, the thousands injured or the countless families changed forever by one heinous act, the memorial is tasteful, poignant and impactful.
—Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perish
Verb
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The investigation is ongoing and the identities of the people who died have not been released.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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One infant receiving the Mead Johnson product died — from sepsis, the article said.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Last year, the Dominican Republic deported more than 100,000 Haitians back to their disintegrating country.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
24 Mar. 2026
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The meteor traveled about 58 miles through the upper atmosphere before disintegrating 29 miles above tiny Calflax in unincorporated Fresno County, Cooke said.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Night fell, and Martha came to a small black lake.—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
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Photos shared on social media shows the massive slabs of rock fell just past a blind curve and the SUV sustained major front-end damage.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Rockaway Times reported the last whale to wash up on the Rockaways was in May 2025, when the decomposing humpback whale showed up on the beach.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
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Samantha Johnson received a 15-year, 8-month prison sentence from a Merced County Superior Court judge, ending a four-year legal saga that began in March 2022 with the discovery of Sophia’s decomposing body in this Central Valley city.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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And the bumbling nature of Lesgate, with Jones playing the internal conflicts sharply, comes with succumbing to the horrid nature of what money can bring.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Luis Daniel Gutierrez Mora, 31, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital on Tuesday, CMPD said in a March 25 news release.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Too soggy and the bulbs will rot; however, if the soil is too dry, the bulbs may fail to absorb enough nutrients to thrive.—
Michelle Mastro,
Architectural Digest,
24 Mar. 2026
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Just keep it a couple of inches away from plant crowns and stems to avoid rotting.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Major dental work to remove her broken and decaying teeth, concentrated nutrition, antibiotics, vaccines, a spay surgery and an introduction to such simple luxuries as an indoor bed and gentle touch have all been part of Gertie’s healing.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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Searching the room for clues, Hole spots a decaying hand arranged on the shelf with the thumb removed and the index finger pointing upwards — to the fifth floor.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perish. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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