languish 1 of 4

Definition of languishnext
as in to fade
to lose bodily strength or vigor older people, especially, were languishing during the prolonged heat wave

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

languishing

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adjective

languishing

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noun

languishing

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verb (2)

present participle of languish

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of languish
Verb
So far, however, most proposals to fix these problems at the state and local level have languished. Alisa Kaplan, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026 There are languishing eight-figure listings and embarrassing price cuts. Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 31 Mar. 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
And a Picasso masterpiece is languishing in a basement in Tehran. Angela Cullen, Bloomberg, 20 Mar. 2026 After languishing on the market for nearly three years, Billy Joel has finally managed to offload his longtime New York residence in the Long Island enclave of Centre Island. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for languish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languish
Adjective
  • This sense of being listless without Kane is nothing new.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Smith’s swing capped a six-run ninth for the Braves, who were mostly listless offensively until that point.
    Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Nicole Tallman’s job as a senior staffer under Miami-Dade County’s mayor puts her on the frontlines of county government’s many failings, mishaps and challenges.
    Douglas Hanks April 1, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Before 1956, addiction to drugs and alcohol were considered failings in morality or personal will.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • For workers who are tired of their jobs following them home every night, and for businesses that are tired of the burnout, the turnover, and the chaos that comes from not having boundaries, Zenzap is the work chat app that changes everything.
    Jason Phillips, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
  • One still gets tired of the Wednesday rice and fish dish.
    Jeremy O. Harris, Vanity Fair, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line are also off course, running aground and sinking.
    Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
  • This isn't a part -- this isn't just about a ship sinking.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Taylor was discharged after four days, weak and exhausted but out of the woods.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
  • What is exhausted is repetition without thought.
    Manuela Moscoso, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Other human rights groups warn of a weakening of legal protections.
    ABC News, ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Higher energy prices are also expected to widen India’s current account deficit, which has contributed to a weakening of the local currency, with the rupee touching record lows in recent days.
    Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The Tagovailoa era didn’t fail because Miami’s offense wasn’t innovative enough, or the defense was limp.
    Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The Best Deals at the Quince Sale If your current towels are limp, scratchy, or just plain uninspired, Quince’s Turkish Classic Bath towels are an instant bathroom upgrade.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Two of the people with MS, including Miller, have progressive MS, a form of the disease marked by gradual worsening of neurological function and disabilities over time.
    Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026
  • With America’s loneliness epidemic worsening, there’s a real risk of suicide rates continuing to rise.
    Sam Manzella, Flow Space, 5 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Languish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languish. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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