LANGUISH Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

languish

verb

ˈlaŋ-gwish

Definition of languish

as in to fade

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 In comparison with America, the Gulf and Asia, the mature markets of the EU and the rest of the continent have languished. — Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026 Yet meaningful, comprehensive control of AI both on the battlefield and off has languished, largely because trust between governments and understanding of the technology and its risks is lacking, Russell said. — Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 Exile and resilience Hundreds of Sudanese journalists are languishing in exile, with some covering the war from other regional countries. — Mat Nashed, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Aug. 2026 The 6-foot-3, 204-pound junior spent the last two years languishing in Auburn’s lackluster offense, totaling 93 receptions for 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns. — ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for languish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for languish

Verb

None of this happened by accident, and the proof is in the long list of former Dell competitors from its founding era, who have faded into oblivion.

— Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026
The sense of historic possibility that once made the jihadi movement so threatening to Western countries has faded.

— Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of fade

Verb

Dairy cows are producing less milk and birthing fewer or weakened calves.

— Vivian Song, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
Though Hurricane Marie continues to weaken in the southern Pacific Ocean — and is expected to remain hundreds of miles off the Southern California coastline — the region can still expect to feel some effects from the storm over the next few days.

— Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of weaken

Verb

Slavia Prague The Czech champions briefly threatened an upset against Barcelona in the league phase last season, going ahead in sub-zero temperatures in Prague before the Catalan side turned up the heat to win 4-2.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Okamoto went 4 for 5 with a double and broke a 3-all tie in the seventh with an RBI single.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of go

Verb

While execs don’t publicly characterize it this way, it was motivated in part by Comcast’s sagging stock price, which reflects growing concern about pressure on broadband growth.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026
Bookshelves are sagging with data that rent, wage and price controls distort markets.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of sag

Verb

Like at Brentford’s Gtech Stadium, Spurs failed to win with the first contact from a deep corner, allowing the ball to be headed across their penalty area to an unmarked Yoane Wissa, who acrobatically converted past Antonin Kinsky.

— Elias Burke, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
For example, an enterprise may deploy an AI customer-service agent that achieves high technical accuracy, yet still fail because customers must repeat information, escalation paths are unclear and employees frequently override recommendations.

— Ashwin Gaidhani, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of fail

Verb

In 1987, the ferry Dona Paz sank after colliding with a fuel tanker in the central Philippines, killing more than 4,300 people in the world's deadliest peacetime maritime disaster.

— CBS News, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026
Once lake levels are no longer safe for the largest ships to pass, the Panama Canal Authority, the agency in charge of the canal, begins to restrict their maximum draft, meaning how deep into the water the ships sink when loaded.

— Steven Paton, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of sink

Verb

BepiColombo's laser instrument should confirm how much Mercury is withering as a result of internal cooling, said Gaku Nishiyama, the study's lead author who is taking part in the space mission.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
BepiColombo’s laser instrument should confirm how much Mercury is withering as a result of internal cooling, said Gaku Nishiyama, the study’s lead author who is taking part in the space mission.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of wither

Browse Nearby Words

languidness

languish

languished

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“Languish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languish. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of languish

verb

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