as in failing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in drooping
to be limp from lack of water or vigor
the plants wilted after I forgot to water them for three whole days
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fading
to lose bodily strength or vigor
she had wilted a bit after walking around the hot and humid city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in drying
to lose liveliness, force, or freshness
after six solid hours of painting, his energy was starting to wilt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wilting
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026
The first sign your peace lily is thirsty will be yellowing and wilting leaves.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
No wilting languor on this veranda — for that matter, no veranda either — just ferocity, desperation, and, of course, brutal desire.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2025
Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 12 May 2026
In hot, sunny weather, protect new transplants with row cover or overturned pots to discourage wilting and dieback.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 10 May 2026
April in Central Florida is commonly one of the drier months of the year before summer rains, showing itself instead with brown lawns, wilting bushes, burning forests and smoky skies.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
Look out for premature dropping of leaves along the stem, brown leaf tips, and wilting, as these can all be signs of both low humidity and lack of soil moisture.
—Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026
These two are the sole remaining bright spot on this quickly wilting season.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2026
Paula Wethington, CBS News, 4 May 2026
To keep fresh herbs from wilting too quickly, trim the ends, then wrap them in a damp paper towel or cloth before storing.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 1 May 2026
Impatiens needs frequent watering to prevent it from wilting in hot weather.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 May 2026
Many of the symptoms of overwatering — wilting, yellowing leaves, drooping stems — look almost identical to those of underwatering, which is why so many people respond by reaching for the watering can again.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026
The relationship between Washington and London has been wilting for years, Bergmann said, starting with the end of the Cold War and the United States putting less emphasis on Russia and Europe.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Wilting Leaves Are Not Normal Don’t assume that leaves yellowing or wilting tomato plant leaves from the bottom up as the season progresses is normal.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 24 Apr. 2026
Why are my basil cuttings wilting in water?
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 2026
Rotten flowers sit wilting in a vase, the fireplace is lit, and clothes are strewn around.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Keep an eye out for wilting leaves, and check the soil for dryness.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026
The first sign your peace lily is thirsty will be yellowing and wilting leaves.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
No wilting languor on this veranda — for that matter, no veranda either — just ferocity, desperation, and, of course, brutal desire.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2025
Noun
Give hydrangea plants a large enough container for their roots to grow and water frequently to prevent wilting.
—Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 12 May 2026
In hot, sunny weather, protect new transplants with row cover or overturned pots to discourage wilting and dieback.
—Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 10 May 2026
April in Central Florida is commonly one of the drier months of the year before summer rains, showing itself instead with brown lawns, wilting bushes, burning forests and smoky skies.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
Look out for premature dropping of leaves along the stem, brown leaf tips, and wilting, as these can all be signs of both low humidity and lack of soil moisture.
—Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026
These two are the sole remaining bright spot on this quickly wilting season.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
Our students are not wilting flowers.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 4 May 2026
To keep fresh herbs from wilting too quickly, trim the ends, then wrap them in a damp paper towel or cloth before storing.
—Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 1 May 2026
Impatiens needs frequent watering to prevent it from wilting in hot weather.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 May 2026
Many of the symptoms of overwatering — wilting, yellowing leaves, drooping stems — look almost identical to those of underwatering, which is why so many people respond by reaching for the watering can again.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 29 Apr. 2026
The relationship between Washington and London has been wilting for years, Bergmann said, starting with the end of the Cold War and the United States putting less emphasis on Russia and Europe.
—Michael Collins, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
Wilting Leaves Are Not Normal Don’t assume that leaves yellowing or wilting tomato plant leaves from the bottom up as the season progresses is normal.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 24 Apr. 2026
Why are my basil cuttings wilting in water?
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 2026
Rotten flowers sit wilting in a vase, the fireplace is lit, and clothes are strewn around.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wilting
Noun
-
More bailouts would paper over the failings of federal regulation.—
Marc Scribner,
Washington Post,
13 May 2026
-
Equally important is practicing self-care and self-compassion, which, Broder says, means treating yourself with kindness instead of judgment and recognizing that your patterns developed as a way to cope, not as a personal failing.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Start with tall bluebonnet stems on the left, fill the middle with medium-height ornamental onions, and finish the arrangement with softly drooping sweet peas on the right.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Many of the symptoms of overwatering — wilting, yellowing leaves, drooping stems — look almost identical to those of underwatering, which is why so many people respond by reaching for the watering can again.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While fading blooms typically wilt or go limp, wilting of foliage or plant stems is a sign the plant is water stressed.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
-
Avoid placing rugs in prolonged direct sunlight as this can cause fading.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Cozy Earth recommends washing them in cold water (without any fabric softener) and drying them on a regular cycle.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
-
Rinse the solution off the slats before drying with a clean towel.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Speaking in Russia’s State Duma (parliament) last week, Zyuganov warned the country could face a Bolshevik-style revolution if the government fails to address the weakening economy.—
Zahra Ullah,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
-
Also, the evidence points to a weakening of the AMOC, but not a complete collapse.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Well remember, there’s a corrupt shadow hanging over the Supreme Court.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
10 May 2026
-
Some solitary wasps build many nests together in a community, and some live in nests underground so hanging decoys wouldn’t make a difference.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
The cushions will stay bouncy thanks to sinuous springs that prevent sagging over time.—
Christina Shepherd McGuire,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
-
This is infused in extra-large toner pads for deep firming hydration to refine pores, smooth texture, and visibly lift sagging skin all in one gentle swipe.—
Rosa Jisoo Pyo,
Vogue,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Known as the Critical Medicines Act, the initiative seeks to avoid the kinds of withering drug shortages that were seen during the Covid-19 pandemic.—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
12 May 2026
-
What becomes clear is that Yesteryear is not actually the withering critique of faux-trad influencers it’s been marketed as.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wilting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wilting. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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