languish

as in to fade
to lose bodily strength or vigor older people, especially, were languishing during the prolonged heat wave

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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 languish Despite the Supreme Court's ruling, the case has appeared to languish. Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2025 Maryland ratepayers could save hundreds of dollars a year on their electric bills if the regional power grid operator could speed up approval of energy projects, some of which have languished for five years in the current system. Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 16 Apr. 2025 Max Verstappen, meanwhile, never really threatened the leaders and languished in sixth after suffering two slow pit stops. Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025 The Khans viewed Coen’s energy and fresh approach as the perfect remedy for their languishing franchise. Mike Jones, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for languish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languish
Verb
  • First, there was a drip-drip-drip of crisis: as costs everywhere rose, city, state, and federal monies faded away once COVID-era bailout efforts came to an end.
    Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2025
  • He’s got a big smile and that Generation Z vibe, maybe a freshly cut fade every three to four weeks.
    Cory Mull, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • As more state legislation is passed that weakens or eliminates longstanding fire and life safety codes, the need for young workers who are trained and passionate about reversing these trends is high.
    Jim Pauley, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • The pests set about sucking the sap from grape roots, slowly weakening them and opening wounds that invited disease.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Louisiana Louisiana’s law went into effect Jan. 1 requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, but the state hasn't issued guidance on what documentation residents need.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • And then, all of the sudden, the girlfriend’s gone.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Consumer confidence is sagging as shoppers are fatigued by inflation and the impact of tariffs.
    Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 1 May 2025
  • The continued flouting of production quotas could keep oil prices sagging, even after US President Donald Trump signalled a potential U-turn on his trade war with China.
    Amy Gunia, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Dix’s conclusion is easily seen in the lives of famous entrepreneurs who failed at various times in their lives.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Because practices that work in one context may fail in another.
    HEC Paris Insights, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • That’s contributed to U.S. defense firm Lockheed Martin, which makes F-35 fighter jets, sinking 15% since Trump’s election, while BAE Systems, which also produces fighter jets, has soared.
    Hank Tucker, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Cordero had already been more bearish than Seroka about the rest of the year, previously saying that total cargo volumes into the Long Beach port would sink 20 percent in 2025’s second half.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • And sure, delivering a withering comeback would feel satisfying in the moment, but in most situations — especially professional ones — that’s not the move.
    John Bowe, CNBC, 1 May 2025
  • Rafael van der Vaart, formerly of Real Madrid, offered perhaps the most withering assessment during a discussion of the incident on Dutch TV channel Ziggo Sports.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Languish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languish. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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