as in to fade
to lose bodily strength or vigor
older people, especially, were languishing during the prolonged heat wave
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in listless
lacking bodily energy or motivation
his lingering sickness left him languishing and uninterested in his usual activities
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 languish
Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Her nomination had languished since her confirmation hearing in late February, even as activists from the MAHA movement orchestrated a push to support her bid by surging phone calls to Republican Sens.
—Ali Swenson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
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
Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Means’ languishing nomination after appearing for a confirmation hearing in February reflects the skepticism that lawmakers of both parties have expressed toward the direction Kennedy has taken his department.
—Mike Stobbe, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for languish
Verb
Then the bill languished in the House.
—Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Her nomination had languished since her confirmation hearing in late February, even as activists from the MAHA movement orchestrated a push to support her bid by surging phone calls to Republican Sens.
—Ali Swenson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 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
Noun
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
The timing of Promising Young Woman, premiering to big buzz at Sundance in 2020 and then languishing in pandemic purgatory before ultimately getting dumped onto VOD, was a disappointment.
—Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Means’ languishing nomination after appearing for a confirmation hearing in February reflects the skepticism that lawmakers of both parties have expressed toward the direction Kennedy has taken his department.
—Mike Stobbe, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for languish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languish
Adjective
-
That specificity and boldness don’t appear much on Yo Favorite Trappa Favorite Rappa, a listless album that’s fashioned like a 2000s mixtape.—
Stephen Kearse,
Pitchfork,
21 Apr. 2026
-
On Beef, Woosh (played by K-pop star BM) is a somewhat listless Korean Zoomer who works for chairman Park as a tennis instructor and also sells skincare products to the country club’s members.—
Natasha O'Neill,
Vanity Fair,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Not the individual failing, not even the generational one, but the architecture of permission that organized the emotional lives of everyone within its radius.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2026
-
The previous Lord of the Flies adaptations, whatever their failings otherwise, were similarly showcases for casting discoveries.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Satonica credited Burse with reviving Grady’s professional governance, noticing tired nurses and overwhelmed leaders.—
Laura Berrios,
AJC.com,
7 May 2026
-
Gee, can't imagine why fans were tired of Mark Hamill towards the end!—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
The sinking has damaged part of the Friant-Kern Canal, a major water conduit for farms, reducing its carrying capacity and requiring $326 million in repairs.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
More than 20 million people are living on ground sinking above a reservoir.—
Briana Alvarado,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
One of these supply sources will become exhausted as the conflict goes on, Woods said.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
-
Now, that funding is exhausted.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Also, the evidence points to a weakening of the AMOC, but not a complete collapse.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The legislation, which will be challenged in court, indicates a weakening of Lula’s position in Congress ahead of his bid for reelection in the country’s October presidential election.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Blimps derive their name either by onomatopoeia from the sound of the inflated balloon being struck or from their classification in World War I as British Class B airship combined with the word limp, referring to their nonrigid construction.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
1 May 2026
-
The sweet potato fries can be limp at times, but the regular fries are dependably crisp and well-seasoned.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
However, the incidents have contributed to a worsening of the mood around Madrid and should also be considered notable for that reason.—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
5 May 2026
-
The South Bay has been able to absorb thousands of layoffs yet still avoid a worsening of the jobless rate in the region, Hancock noted.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Languish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languish. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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