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
But the market has never trusted that the gap can be bridged, and the stock has been languishing below NAV for much of its history. Wael Mahdi, semafor.com, 8 June 2026 In April, the moderate Democrat was languishing in the single digits in several polls. Terry Collins, USA Today, 6 June 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
There’s Haley Stevens, a congresswoman backed by Chuck Schumer and AIPAC who is languishing in third place in the polls. Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 29 May 2026 With the stock languishing below $200 amid concerns that AI could replace traditional software as companies build their own CRM tools, management aggressively ramped up share repurchases, even issuing debt to fund buybacks. CNBC, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for languish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languish
Verb
  • Members of the organizations explained that the numerous legal and regulatory actions are not fading away once SpaceX goes public, but are likely to escalate and become bigger risks to investors, pension fund holders and other members of the financial community.
    Ashley Capoot,CJ Haddad,Samantha Subin,Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 12 June 2026
  • Hackman plays a chess-loving private investigator tasked with finding the 16-year-old daughter (Melanie Griffith, in her film debut) of a fading actress.
    Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • Over the course of two summers, the Kings weakened the fulcrum of their roster by losing Matt Roy and Vladislav Gavrikov in free agency, then exacerbating matters by casting off Jordan Spence for a modest return.
    Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 9 June 2026
  • The acid can etch, discolor, or weaken stone and concrete.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 June 2026
Verb
  • Sometimes a little luck can go a long way, and Japan found that out firsthand in its 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in group stage action in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday at AT&T Stadium.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 June 2026
  • But with a growing awareness of the mental health risks posed by children spending too much time online, Starmer has decided to go further after speaking to parents and considering evidence from Australia, which brought in a ban for under-16s last year.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
Verb
  • These include the Triple Collagen Cream from Medicube, which features a blend of shea butter, elastin, and collagen to firm and lift sagging skin.
    Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 8 June 2026
  • With three types of hyaluronic acid, ectoin, and the brand’s signature thermal spring water, the moisturizer restores hydration, repairs a weak skin barrier, and plumps sagging skin.
    Essence Wiley, InStyle, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • Eldridge homered for a third straight game, the latest being his fifth home run of the season, but San Francisco fell 5-1 to the Chicago Cubs on Friday evening at Oracle Park, the latest instance of this team failing to carry the momentum from a momentous moment.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 13 June 2026
  • The Washington National Opera is accusing the Kennedy Center of failing to return more than $17 million in donor funds, escalating a dispute that followed the end of a 15-year partnership between the two institutions.
    Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • Industrial incompatibilities ultimately sank the project at the heart of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) scheme, the much-vaunted political lynchpin of Franco-German military cooperation.
    Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 13 June 2026
  • Objection’s Founder and CEO is Aron D’Souza, an Australian entrepreneur and provocateur best known as the mastermind behind Thiel’s litigation strategy against Gawker, which involved a patient, extensive search for the ideal proxy plaintiff to sink the online news outlet.
    Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • However, new plants can dry out and wither away quickly.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 June 2026
  • As a skin care ingredient, hyaluronic acid floods withered, thirsty skin with moisture, thereby smoothing the appearance of fine lines.
    Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 10 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Languish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languish. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.

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