as in faded
to lose bodily strength or vigor
older people, especially, were languishing during the prolonged heat wave
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Recent Examples of languished
The biggest piece of housing legislation in a generation has languished on Capitol Hill because of lawmakers’ objections to a provision negotiated by the White House.
—
Bloomberg, Oc Register, 7 May 2026
Accustomed to a tropical climate, the animals languished inside the cold warehouse after space heaters set up in the facility shut down with no one present to correct it, records show.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
The homicide investigation became a cold case that languished for more than three decades.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
Then the bill languished in the House.
—Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Her nomination had languished since her confirmation hearing in late February, even as activists from the MAHA movement orchestrated a push to support her bid by surging phone calls to Republican Sens.
—Ali Swenson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
The neighborhood has long fought for equitable infrastructure, having languished at the hands of segregation and federal housing policies.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
On the flipside, since wrapping principal photography in December 2021, Desert Warrior has languished in postproduction hell.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
His body languished for years inside the room-temperature building in Penrose with other corpses before their discovery.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Bloomberg, Oc Register, 7 May 2026
Accustomed to a tropical climate, the animals languished inside the cold warehouse after space heaters set up in the facility shut down with no one present to correct it, records show.
—Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
The homicide investigation became a cold case that languished for more than three decades.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
Then the bill languished in the House.
—Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Her nomination had languished since her confirmation hearing in late February, even as activists from the MAHA movement orchestrated a push to support her bid by surging phone calls to Republican Sens.
—Ali Swenson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
The neighborhood has long fought for equitable infrastructure, having languished at the hands of segregation and federal housing policies.
—Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026
On the flipside, since wrapping principal photography in December 2021, Desert Warrior has languished in postproduction hell.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
His body languished for years inside the room-temperature building in Penrose with other corpses before their discovery.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languished
Verb
-
When the final notes faded, the audience erupted.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
-
As the May 4 victory vibes in the Royals’ clubhouse faded toward facing the next day, Jac Caglianone stood in front of his locker in the dwindling room, processing the night and some last questions.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
However, when the researchers adjusted the findings for other factors that can affect risk for the conditions, known as confounders — such as genetic and familial influences and the reasons for taking antidepressants — most links significantly weakened or disappeared.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
-
Starmer’s authority weakened after Labor’s poor performance in recent elections, blamed on policy missteps, economic struggles, and the prime minister’s controversial decisions, including appointing an ambassador with ties to Jeffrey Epstein.—
Pan Pylas,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
The cushions haven’t sagged, the corners haven’t weathered despite enduring many bumps, and the navy hue hasn’t faded at all.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
11 May 2026
-
Rather than carry over the momentum from Sunday, the Sabres gradually sagged due to spotty goaltending and an anemic power play.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But the fairy godmother’s spell wore off early in Game 6, which was just 62 seconds old when Vegas went ahead to stay.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
Heartland recruit Sammy Atkinson went 3-for-4 with three runs and two triples, including a leadoff triple that sparked a three-run seventh as the Celtics (16-14) came back from a 5-3 deficit.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The study said the debris could have come from a foreign ship that sank—given the lack of information from the Russian side, who could say?—
Ian Frazier,
New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2026
-
As revenue sank, the economy collapsed amid soaring inflation.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
One attempt to stop single-serve liquor bans failed in the Senate on Tuesday, but it could be revived in another bill.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
13 May 2026
-
Having failed to please Greene with her abstractions, Lovelace O’Neal applied the powder directly to her white canvases, covering it in black pigment that became a background to pastel squiggles.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Languished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languished. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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