Synonyms of languished

languished

verb

past tense of languish

as in faded

to lose bodily strength or vigor

older people, especially, were languishing during the prolonged heat wave

Synonyms & Similar Words

• faded
• weakened
• sagged
• went
• sank
• failed
• lagged
• deteriorated
• withered
• decayed
• drooped
• flagged
• wasted (away)
• emaciated
• wilted
• yielded
• rotted
• degenerated
• broke down
• wore out
• ran down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• recovered
• rallied
• rebounded
• recuperated
• gained
• convalesced

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of languished

Those efforts have largely languished or have been outright shut down by the courts. — Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 22 Aug. 2026

However, Nike still languished as Hill's efforts to turn the company around were taking much longer than expected. — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026

Willis wasn’t heavily recruited out of high school, languished on the bench two seasons at Auburn (14 total pass attempts), then transferred to finish college for the lower-tier Liberty Flames. — Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2026

For 78 years, the boys’ story—and hundreds of others like it—had languished in storage. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 6 Aug. 2026

Many sloths intended for display at the International Drive attraction languished and died by early this year in small cages inside an unheated warehouse. — Rylan Digiacomo-Rapp, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026

Originally conceived alongside their collaborations on those scores, the album languished as Jóhannsson’s film career exploded before ultimately being shelved after his death. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 31 July 2026

In vivid strokes of saffron orange and seafoam green watercolors, Wilson rendered a vibrant portrait of herself plundering birthday cake by the handful as party guests languished around the frame. — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 26 July 2026

Occasionally, even, the lover dies—shot in bed, languished in a cave, or disappeared by the government. — Literary Hub, 14 July 2026