as in fades
to lose bodily strength or vigor
older people, especially, were languishing during the prolonged heat wave
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Recent Examples of languishes
Only Kordia — mischaracterized by the government, largely overlooked by the public and caught in a legal maze — languishes in detention.
—
Dave Smith, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
The stock traded at well above $200 in 2021 but now languishes at about $84.
—John Dorfman, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Add a Showstopper If the focal point of your container garden languishes at the end of summer, replace it with a fresh, eye-catching plant.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Sep. 2025
Replacing Jack Doohan with Franco Colapinto after just six races into the 2025 season, the Argentinian has failed to impress as the team languishes at the bottom of the standings.
—Alex Harrington, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025
Sectors that have lagged year to date, including health care, energy and real estate, are outperforming this week — while tech languishes.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025
While the former feels intense pressure to provide for his family, the latter languishes as a result of a lifelong lack of love and encouragement.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
Meanwhile the naira currency languishes at record lows against the dollar.
—Chinedu Asadu, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024
In Lower Manhattan, 40 Wall Street languishes, with tenants vacating the office tower and profits falling.
—Dan Alexander, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
Dave Smith, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
The stock traded at well above $200 in 2021 but now languishes at about $84.
—John Dorfman, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Add a Showstopper If the focal point of your container garden languishes at the end of summer, replace it with a fresh, eye-catching plant.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Sep. 2025
Replacing Jack Doohan with Franco Colapinto after just six races into the 2025 season, the Argentinian has failed to impress as the team languishes at the bottom of the standings.
—Alex Harrington, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025
Sectors that have lagged year to date, including health care, energy and real estate, are outperforming this week — while tech languishes.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025
While the former feels intense pressure to provide for his family, the latter languishes as a result of a lifelong lack of love and encouragement.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
Meanwhile the naira currency languishes at record lows against the dollar.
—Chinedu Asadu, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024
In Lower Manhattan, 40 Wall Street languishes, with tenants vacating the office tower and profits falling.
—Dan Alexander, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languishes
Verb
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Estevie’s voice resonates throughout that lush blend of cumbia-pop, and leaves an impression that lingers long after the music fades.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
7 Nov. 2025
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Like all sugar rushes, the high fades fast and you’re left with a stomachache.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Lee was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at age 2, a degenerative disease that gradually weakens muscles.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
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Unlike some of the burger chain’s peers, Cramer said McDonald’s has immense scale and strength and is making an effort to lower prices as consumer spending weakens.—
Julie Coleman,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
And Biltmore Estate goes above and beyond on the festive front.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The first shift after all the previous staff shakeups goes surprisingly well.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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If the restructuring fails to materialize by year-end, SoftBank’s total investment would drop to $20 billion.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
11 Nov. 2025
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Best Amazon Early Black Friday Luggage Deals Amazon’s lineup of hardside suitcases, carry-ons, and full luggage sets never fails to impress—and this year’s deals certainly don’t fall short.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In the standout first-act sequence of Bat Boy, the horror comedy gleefully sinks its teeth into My Fair Lady.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
-
In 1699, the French frigate Maurepas sinks off the coast of an uninhabited part of Panama, taking with it a load full of gold, silver and jewels gifted from Charles II of Spain to King Louis XIV of France.—
Chrissie McClatchie,
Robb Report,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Languishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languishes. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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