languish

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 languish The son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders and a player once thought to be a potential No. 1 pick found himself in a similar spot as Aaron Rodgers, Brady Quinn, Geno Smith and all those other NFL quarterbacks who famously languished in that eternity of a limbo. Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025 Leclerc started from fourth in Japan with Hamilton in eighth, while in Bahrain the former secured his first front row of the season as the seven-time world champion languished in ninth. Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025 But with some facilities more than four years behind schedule for an inspection, advocates and lawmakers fear that some of Maryland’s seniors may be languishing in unsafe living conditions as the state works through its backlog. Danielle J. Brown, Baltimore Sun, 22 Apr. 2025 Cloak & Dagger is one of those properties that has languished around Marvel Comics for years, occasionally getting a series, never selling too well. Nola Pfau, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for languish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languish
Verb
  • Advisors who can build trust and act as a central coordinator for these services are invaluable—and often become long-term partners even after the spotlight fades.
    Jason Katz, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
  • When possible, keep your collection in a cool, dry place (away from direct sunlight) to prevent early deterioration or fading over time.
    Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • In Colorado, for example, several AI companies recently lobbied to delay and weaken the state’s landmark AI accountability legislation — a preview of what unchecked industry influence could look like under a regulatory freeze.
    Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • Their backing from the youngest voters weakened in 2024 (Catalist).
    Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • In the first half, the Sparks (1-1) went toe-to-toe with the Lynx.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
  • As far as makeup goes, Simpson went for a smokey eye look that was emphasized with a dark liner, feathery brows and a glossy nude lip.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • While Donald Trump’s return sparked surges early in the year, including brief all-time highs across major tokens, prices have largely sagged.
    Catherine Baab, Quartz, 9 May 2025
  • Even when his overall approval ratings sagged, voters consistently gave him his highest marks on the economy.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Earlier this year, after failing to meet its own October deadline for the rebate’s relaunch, the government passed a measure allowing producers to claim expenses accrued in the final months of 2024 and the start of 2025.
    Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 18 May 2025
  • Over the years, he’s placed a total of 48 tracks somewhere on the list, meaning nearly all of them have become top 10 smashes, with only a handful failing to rise into that uppermost region.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • In a little over six minutes, a series of avoidable errors sunk the Leafs.
    Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 19 May 2025
  • Related article The lurking menace of golf’s Green Mile As Rahm fell, Scheffler arose past his early struggles, sinking back-to-back birdies on holes 14 and 15 to reclaim the lead and never looked back.
    Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • But her nomination by a Democratic president withered away as Florida’s two Republican senators blocked it amid a divisive presidential election campaign.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025
  • But by early 2024, Gay had come under withering criticism inside and outside the institution after she was called to testify about antisemitism on campus.
    Andy Rose, CNN Money, 6 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Languish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languish. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on languish

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!