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 And since the gun-toting librarian who would go on to save the remaining Platts at a vital moment was among the neighbors rescued from this second teleportation, does this mean the children perish too? — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026 The hypothesis that Earhart and Noonan landed on Nikumaroro and later perished there has gained steam in recent years. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026 On the morning of September 11, 2001, 91 guests and 79 World employees would perish in the devastating terrorist attack on the twin towers. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026 This summer has been a deadly one in Europe, with over 10,000 people perishing in the extreme heat over just a few weeks. — Morgan Simon, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perish

Verb

Last month, the family of Christopher Hawley, who died after a ride in 2022, reached a settlement with the park and with ride manufacturer S&S Worldwide Inc, said KTLA.

— Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 2 Sep. 2026
Knight was wounded but survived the attack, while Shakur was struck multiple times and died six days later at age 25.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of die

Verb

The share of mid-cap companies in that has increased to 20% from 14% while that of 100 large-cap companies has fallen from 78% to 72%, the report showed.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
The company says its reactor’s electrical output falls within the range of a high-performance vehicle drivetrain.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of fall

Verb

But the situation is far more tragic, with videos on social media showing dozens of coffins lined up beside mass graves, awaiting burial before the bodies decompose in the heat.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
The body itself was badly decomposed after spending an unknown amount of time exposed to the elements, with animals, bugs and rain, plus 50 years in storage.

— Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of decompose

Verb

Flies buzz over the rotting carcass, which is riven by claw marks so unnaturally deep that no one can determine whomauledit.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
They shouldn’t be stored below 45 degrees because chilling can cause internal damage and eventually contribute to breakdown and rot, explains Gregorie.

— Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of rot

Verb

The book takes on the form of a journal by Utsugi, an aging patriarch, who, recovering from a stroke, discovers that while his body is decaying, his libido rages on.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026
Some detest the compost odor; others say decaying food attracts rats.

— Emily Staunton, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Sep. 2026