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 Scott, Derek Jeter’s first Marlins draft pick, is languishing in his seventh year in the minors, now in the Royals’ system. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2025 The once-glittering Malvasia routes languished. Layne Randolph, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025 Labour and Starmer’s approval ratings are languishing in the doldrums. Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025 United's third loss in five matches across all competitions left them languishing 14th in the Premier League. Lori Ewing, Reuters, 14 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for languish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languish
Verb
  • The present is always coming at us so hard and fast that the unexamined past fades more from consciousness in the echo chamber of the now.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Nobody buys an Alfa Romeo to fade into the crowd.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • And, in the process, weakening the ability of American tech companies, many of them based in California, to achieve their goals.
    The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Winds will continue to weaken later in the afternoon, while flooding across the high terrain in the Central Azores is also expected to subside.
    Julia Gomez, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • So if this plan goes into effect, the question of who makes up the Palestinian technocratic administration might certainly be one of the main stumbling blocks.
    Asher Kaufman, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Lock up your ticket and go hide.
    Chris Sims, IndyStar, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The counterculture had curdled, Vietnam was over but unsettled, and the economy sagged into stagflation.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
  • The Democratic Party’s brand — as well as the approval rating for some of the state’s top Democratic officials — has indeed sagged, even in solidly blue Colorado, according to a recent poll.
    Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The 2-point conversion attempt failed, but the Packers cut the gap to 21-6.
    Frank Rajkowski, Twin Cities, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Lawsuits also allege Liberty Utilities and construction companies failed to mark gas lines properly and respond to the leak in time, resulting in the boys death, severe injuries and property damage.
    Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Justin Thomas, who looked hopelessly lost on Friday morning, sank a putt on the 18th hole to defeat the seemingly invincible Tommy Fleetwood.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
  • For third time in four games, the Panthers were sunk with a third-score deficit before halftime because one unit completely let the rest of the squad down.
    Mike Kaye September 28, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Once those reserves are exhausted, China may be tempted to broker a deal to buy American soybeans, but those hopes may wither when the Southern Hemisphere's harvest season begins early next year.
    Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Competition, however, has withered in American elections.
    Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 25 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Languish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languish. Accessed 2 Oct. 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!