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
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
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
-
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
-
Vibrant oranges, milky mints, bright blues, and muted peaches from the album cover mingle well with golds and silvers, high-shine gloss, glitter, ombré, and aura fades.—
Abby Dupes,
Allure,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Over the longer term, forecasters will watch whether the vortex remains stable or weakens later this fall.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Nashville Tennessean,
24 Sep. 2025
-
This special assurance for a specific competitor weakens competition.—
Alden Abbott,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The camera goes hurtling after the characters, none of whom move the same way.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
26 Sep. 2025
-
To ensure compliance with these rules, the DMV collects a $3 fee from all drivers who enroll in these courses — money which goes toward routine monitoring of traffic schools.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Republicans, Democrats at a standstill Government shutdowns occur when Congress fails to pass the 12 annual appropriations bills required to fund federal agencies.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
-
When someone fails to pay a bill, the creditor that provided the service — whether for a garage door repair, a car loan, or medical care — can take the debtor to court.—
Rae Ellen Bichell,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In the very first episode, the vampire Lestat and Louis make out on the altar in a burning Catholic church before the former sinks his teeth into the latter’s neck.—
James Factora,
Them.,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The distance of the skim is measured to the point where the stone sinks below the water.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Languishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languishes. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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