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

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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 Not just the 2,977 deaths of innocent, often brave people — the workers trapped in the towers, the first responders who perished in an attempt to rescue them, the passengers aboard United Flight 93 who fought back against the hijackers. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 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 But all of the effort is ultimately in vain, as every worker wasp will eventually perish from starvation or cold weather. — Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 10 Sep. 2026 One person was killed, and several animals perished in a house fire in Commerce City on Tuesday. — Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perish

Verb

Pressure for action on all types of kratom is mounting after two students at the University of Mississippi died this month, with kratom products found on the scene in both cases.

— Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 30 Sep. 2026
Fiona Hepler Lowe, the daughter of actor Chad Lowe and Kim Painter, has died.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of die

Verb

Studying an intact oarfish is remarkably difficult because their bodies typically disintegrate into brittle segments upon death.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
The white outer layer started to disintegrate before the audience’s eyes, eventually washing away to reveal a fire-red corseted bodysuit and miniskirt underneath—a pleasingly literal interpretation of the tour’s title.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of disintegrate

Verb

The evolution of land plants and the development of soil go hand in hand—as these pioneering plants, trees, and animals died and their decomposing remains were recycled on land, by fungi and the first soil invertebrates, modern soils began to form.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
Even poor Maggie the cat — the only living animal in Digger’s house and possibly one of the last living animals in the world — is decomposing in his arms, his sister (Sandra Hüller) says with a shudder.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of decompose

Verb

Rejecting Question Three would send a powerful signal that not every American is ready to succumb to cynicism and propagate the worst parts of our political culture.

— Colin Pascal, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
Moore succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital later in the morning.

— Jessie DiMartino, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of succumb

Verb

Holly Bullard, chief strategy and development officer of the left-leaning Florida Policy Institute, says Florida’s policies have left traditional schools to rot.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
But these two things at a certain time of year, because in the summer, the cottage cheese would rot, and the eggs would spoil.

— Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of rot

Verb

Park advocates have long argued that the existing city allocation is inadequate, leaving neighborhoods with decaying recreation centers, deteriorating swimming pools and filthy park bathrooms.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Activating young adults Volunteers spent most of the morning clearing out years of overgrowth, decaying structures and a greenhouse gone wild.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of decay

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“Perish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perish. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of perish

verb

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