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
But today, net overseas direct investment into Indian businesses is languishing between $1 billion and $2 billion, according to data shared by Indian ratings and research firm Care Ratings on Tuesday. Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026 There are languishing eight-figure listings and embarrassing price cuts. Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 31 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
  • Isolated by its beautiful, rugged mountains, West Virginia sits entirely within Appalachia and has long been listed at the bottom of a laundry list of failings, including poor health and a lack of education.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
  • More accurately, these failings are arrogance and incompetence.
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Even in Huntington Beach, residents tired of perpetual culture wars rejected two ballot measures last year seeking to give the City Council more control over a municipal library system that Van Der Mark long claimed was essentially providing pornography to children.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Ditch those tired frozen meals and try out something a bit more exciting in your work lunch routine.
    Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Dyer notes that Cox may well have been confused by the mental and physical trauma of the sinking and the deprivations of five days adrift.
    Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Speaker Emily Coughlan will recap the dramatic 1912 sinking of the oceanliner and tell stories of survivors who eventually made it to Central Florida.
    Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 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 asparagus should be firm and upright; do not buy limp asparagus.
    Victoria Spencer, Martha Stewart, 31 Mar. 2026
  • 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
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 11 Apr. 2026.

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