as in listless
lacking bodily energy or motivation
his lingering sickness left him languishing and uninterested in his usual activities
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in failing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in fading
to lose bodily strength or vigor
older people, especially, were languishing during the prolonged heat wave
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of languishing
Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
Benny Sun, Pitchfork, 29 Jan. 2026
But all of these are either languishing in jails or under house arrest.
—Peter Nicholas, NBC news, 18 Jan. 2026
Inventories growing rapidly can reflect unsold products languishing on shelves.
—The Motley Fool, Dallas Morning News, 18 Jan. 2026
Last month, a grand jury returned indictments against three sheriff’s deputies in the 2021 death of Maurice Monk, who died after languishing days in his cell.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
Wondering where to wear the killer jumpsuit that's been languishing in the back of your closet?
—Amber Rambharose, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
Her seventh novel follows longtime friends Laura Miller and Edmund Putnam, both languishing in personal and professional troughs.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
After languishing on the market for over a year, Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman has finally managed to offload his modern farmhouse-style residence in the far western reaches of Studio City.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 3 Jan. 2026
After languishing in detention for over three months, Hermel made the difficult decision to self-deport to Ecuador.
—Carol Guzy, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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
Verb
The album’s occasional lack of momentum is echoed in its lyrical focus on languishing and resisting change.
—Benny Sun, Pitchfork, 29 Jan. 2026
But all of these are either languishing in jails or under house arrest.
—Peter Nicholas, NBC news, 18 Jan. 2026
Inventories growing rapidly can reflect unsold products languishing on shelves.
—The Motley Fool, Dallas Morning News, 18 Jan. 2026
Last month, a grand jury returned indictments against three sheriff’s deputies in the 2021 death of Maurice Monk, who died after languishing days in his cell.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
Wondering where to wear the killer jumpsuit that's been languishing in the back of your closet?
—Amber Rambharose, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
Her seventh novel follows longtime friends Laura Miller and Edmund Putnam, both languishing in personal and professional troughs.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
After languishing on the market for over a year, Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman has finally managed to offload his modern farmhouse-style residence in the far western reaches of Studio City.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 3 Jan. 2026
After languishing in detention for over three months, Hermel made the difficult decision to self-deport to Ecuador.
—Carol Guzy, Miami Herald, 1 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languishing
Adjective
-
Pageau smashed home his second goal late in the third to finish off a listless Flyers team.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Against the Patriots, the Chargers appeared even more listless as Herbert struggled to connect with his receivers, completing 19 of 31 passes for 159 yards.—
Los Angeles Times staff,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This is something Director Smith said many of the failings of the First Step Act was because of the prior administrations misallocation of funding under the program.—
Walter Pavlo,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
This is not a failing of the principles of liberalism, however, but a failure of those entrusted to act in its name.—
Philip Mullins,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Data Privacy Week is one of those calendar moments that risks fading into the background.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The oil’s powerhouse formula has a number of benefits, including brightening skin and fading age spots.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Plush cushioning on the insoles relieves tired feet during the day, making these comfortable enough to wear for hours.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Some people are probably tired of hearing my name.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The cause of the ferry sinking was not immediately clear and there will be an investigation, Dua said.—
Jim Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
-
In some simulations, the sinking began after 1 to 3 million years and reached the base of the shell after 5 to 10 million years.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Milk, butter and cheese prices on the wholesale market and at grocery stores have decreased slightly due to oversupply and weakening consumer demand.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
9 Jan. 2026
-
This suggests consumers enter 2026 with continuing concerns over high prices and weakening labor market conditions.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But as reserves become exhausted, shivering stops and body temperature continues to fall.—
Jesse Pines,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
But as Liberato and his crew grew exhausted, the vibe shifted.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
If your skin reaction is severe, worsening, persistent, or associated with allergy symptoms, get prompt medical attention.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Over three years of follow-up, people who received the higher dose of the treatment showed slower worsening of their movement and daily functioning than a control group that did not receive the therapy.—
William A. Haseltine,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Languishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languishing. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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