PERISH Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

perish

verb

ˈper-ish

Definition of perish

as in to die

to stop living 12 people perished in the plane crash

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to disintegrate

chiefly British to go through decomposition after being left out in the summer heat, the milk perished and had to be thrown out

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 perish Hearing that several employees have perished in the Greenland blast, Digger thinks only of salvaging his rig. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026 In summer, certain weeds can die in as little as a few weeks, while stubborn weeds may perish in a month or two, says Dilmore. — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 26 Sep. 2026 As a result, more people have now died of environmental illnesses that followed the September 11 attacks than perished during the collapse of the towers that day. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026 Timothy Stackpole, who perished while trying to rescue others at the World Trade Center, to stand and accept applause from the crowd. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perish

Verb

Twenty-one of those who died were from Guatemala, Simmons said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026
Francis Wanje, 62, told CBS News that eight of his family members, including his daughter and two grandchildren, died as part of the cult.

— Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of die

Verb

In most cases where the acquirer is en route to paying a price amounting to a humongous PE, the acquirer’s stock falls.

— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
The Orionid meteor shower creates one of the most brilliant displays in the night sky each fall — but this year’s celestial event may have a dimmer showing due to a bright moon.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of fall

Verb

The coins were originally buried together in a container made of organic material that has since decomposed, archaeologists believe.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Many of the children's bodies were severely decomposed, with only 26 able to be identified, and investigations into the other deaths are ongoing.

— Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of decompose

Verb

Short enough to read in a single sitting, Sara Gran’s chilling story of an architect succumbing to demonic possession will leave readers stunned and unsettled.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 23 Oct. 2026
The city’s Medical Examiner ruled the victim’s death a homicide after determining Wong succumbed to stab wounds to his neck and torso.

— Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of succumb

Verb

In large computations, many qubits must wait between operations, during which their quantum states can decay.

— Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
According to the Connecticut Department of Transportation, dead, diseased and decaying trees will be removed during the evening and overnights hours to ensure public safety.

— Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026