as in dying
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1
as in falling
to stop living
12 people perished in the plane crash
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decaying
chiefly British
to go through decomposition
after being left out in the summer heat, the milk perished and had to be thrown out
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of perishing
Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
The goo stops them from perishing, and the two embrace in a hug.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 26 Dec. 2025
Many researchers also hypothesize that aviation trailblazer Earhart did not crash her plane at sea, but instead landed and was stranded on Nikumaroro Island, later perishing there.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025
Bohlin said that the Swedish Board of Agriculture would procure emergency stockpiling of grain in northern Sweden, which would be circulated so as not to disrupt market mechanisms and to avoid stocks perishing.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
The boys didn't always survive their adventures, with one perishing from a snake bite and another drowning in a Bolivian flood.
—ArsTechnica, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
Those who didn’t die onboard eventually tried to walk to across the frozen waters to mainland Canada, perishing on their journey.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
The goo stops them from perishing, and the two embrace in a hug.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 26 Dec. 2025
Many researchers also hypothesize that aviation trailblazer Earhart did not crash her plane at sea, but instead landed and was stranded on Nikumaroro Island, later perishing there.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 10 Dec. 2025
Bohlin said that the Swedish Board of Agriculture would procure emergency stockpiling of grain in northern Sweden, which would be circulated so as not to disrupt market mechanisms and to avoid stocks perishing.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
The boys didn't always survive their adventures, with one perishing from a snake bite and another drowning in a Bolivian flood.
—ArsTechnica, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perishing
Noun
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In addition to bringing medical care to remote mountain villages half a world away, Halifax has ministered to the dying in hospice, worked with the homeless in New Mexico, cared for prisoners on death row, and led countless protests for peace.—
Michael Pollan,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
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Jill’s mission is to ease the passage of the dying into being dead, even people like Boone, who have worked to suppress the development and dissemination of climate change science, leading to a likely environmental apocalypse.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But despite the loss, Lucas was pleased with the way several of the players for the Golden Hawks (2-1) came through in the clutch and how the team battled back after falling behind 6-1.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
25 Feb. 2026
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After falling behind by 11 during an uneven first half, the Celtics buried the Suns with a 50-11 run that stretched from midway through the second quarter until late in the third.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But mostly they are found in soil and feed on algae, fungal, plant roots and decaying organic matter.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
19 Feb. 2026
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Gomez takes up this theme in his photorealistic paintings, which often feature dramatic skies juxtaposed with decaying urban signs.—
Sharon Mizota,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The coroner said next of kin have been notified, and the cause and manner of death for each are pending autopsy results.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
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He was initially sentenced to death, though the sentence was commuted to life imprisonment and he was later pardoned.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Make sure succulents are planted in well-draining soil to keep them from rotting.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2026
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But whoever lies rotting in the bathtub is anyone’s guess.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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By 2019, Virginia photographer John Plashal caught wind of what was disintegrating on Hankins' out-of-the-way acres.—
Danielle Paquette The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
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Around the world, states were disintegrating, climate systems were approaching tipping points, economies were stagnating, and inequality was rising.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This whole thing — Yasmin’s treachery, Harper’s ruthlessness, Ed’s heel turn, Lisa’s demise — is about the idea of an audit.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
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The frustration that led the mayor to announce its demise is understandable.—
Julie Samuels,
New York Daily News,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Funk assures that the softened, decomposing cardboard will allow plants to grow through.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2026
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Jon Hallford, a southern Colorado funeral home owner who stashed nearly 200 decomposing bodies and gave families fake ashes, was sentenced on state charges on Friday.—
Maria Braganini,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Perishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perishing. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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