Synonyms of languishing

languishing 1 of 3

adjective

as in listless

lacking bodily energy or motivation

his lingering sickness left him languishing and uninterested in his usual activities

Synonyms & Similar Words

• listless
• tired
• exhausted
• limp
• weak
• languid
• spiritless
• languorous
• lackadaisical
• weary
• sleepy
• enervated
• lazy
• sluggish
• lethargic
• torpid
• feeble
• indolent
• slothful
• indifferent
• careless
• inactive
• dull
• inert
• frail
• stolid
• heedless
• knackered
• apathetic
• phlegmatic
• impassive
• logy
• thoughtless
• unwary

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• active
• enterprising
• motivated
• ambitious
• animated
• energetic
• dynamic
• eager
• industrious
• pumped
• kinetic
• lively
• up
• enthusiastic
• keen
• avid
• vivacious
• cheerful
• sleepless
• perky
• awake
• watchful
• vigilant
• alert
• wide-awake
• dapper
• chipper
• agog
• open-eyed

languishing

2 of 3

noun

as in failing

Related Words

• failing
• sinking
• weakening
• worsening
• deterioration
• fading
• wilting
• withering
• degeneration
• decline
• wasting (away)
• regression
• relapse

Dissimilar Words

• rehabilitation
• recovery
• healing
• convalescence
• mending
• rehab
• recuperation
• revival
• rally
• comeback
• resuscitation
• survival
• snapback

languishing

3 of 3

verb

present participle of languish

as in fading

to lose bodily strength or vigor

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fading
• weakening
• sagging
• going
• sinking
• failing
• decaying
• lagging
• drooping
• deteriorating
• flagging
• withering
• wilting
• wasting (away)
• emaciating
• rotting
• yielding
• wearing out
• degenerating
• breaking down
• running down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• recovering
• rallying
• recuperating
• gaining
• convalescing
• rebounding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of languishing

Adjective

What this effort points to is the need for a federal right of publicity statute, like the languishing NO FAKES bill. — Schuyler Moore, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026

The skyway corridors with highest density sit directly atop the most languishing streetscapes, Spencer said, and vice versa. — Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026

Noun

Americans are spending their days hustling and waiting for the opportunity to hustle, their days broken up into unpredictable units of work and languishing. — Xochitl Gonzalez, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026

With statewide homebuying languishing near Great Recession lows, aggressive asking prices seem to spur certain California homes to sell quickly. — Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 29 Apr. 2026

As the castle’s internal order collapses under the weight of a string of baffling crimes, Araki strikes a fragile alliance with Kuroda Kanbei – a razor-minded captive languishing in his own dungeon – in a race to root out a traitor before Oda’s army closes in. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Apr. 2026

Verb

Last year, Quad Cities lawmakers got funding for the languishing passenger rail line included as part of the massive transit rescue plan for the Chicago area that passed in last fall’s session. — Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

After languishing in the early part of the year amid broader fears of AI disruption, the stocks have roared back. — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026

Lawyers who practice in Mississippi told ProPublica that many of their cases were languishing after the parties filed briefs and were waiting on a judge’s response. — Carla Astudillo, ProPublica, 3 Sep. 2026

Homes languishing on the market are rare for the Seattle area, long attractive for its plentiful jobs, lush scenery and lower cost of living than San Francisco, its fellow West Coast tech hub. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 1 Sep. 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

Despite more than 1 million people languishing in sprawling camps for almost a decade, as conditions deteriorate and aid shrinks, talk of repatriation is premature, according to analysts. — Lorcan Lovett, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026

Even with the team then languishing at 51-74 at the time, Pasquantino conveyed a certain sense of urgency. — Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026