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
Jane Kim, The Spruce, 9 June 2026
Use damp paper towels to keep vegetables fresh and prevent wilting in the fridge.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 3 June 2026
This caused wilting, stunted crop growth, tree die-back and lower yields, while increasing global cocoa prices even more.
—Indrabati Lahiri, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 3 June 2026
Don't always assume a wilting plant is dehydrated.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 30 May 2026
Take cuttings during the early morning when the plant is well-hydrated to avoid wilting from heat stress.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 27 May 2026
Beating the spotlight-wilting Maple Leafs was one thing.
—Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Our students are not wilting flowers.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 4 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
Why are my basil cuttings wilting in water?
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 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
Keeping soil consistently moist, especially in heat or containers, is key to preventing wilting.
—Jane Kim, The Spruce, 9 June 2026
Use damp paper towels to keep vegetables fresh and prevent wilting in the fridge.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 3 June 2026
This caused wilting, stunted crop growth, tree die-back and lower yields, while increasing global cocoa prices even more.
—Indrabati Lahiri, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Verb
Swathe greens, herbs, and other veggies in damp paper towels to retain moisture levels and keep the produce from wilting.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 3 June 2026
Don't always assume a wilting plant is dehydrated.
—Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 30 May 2026
Take cuttings during the early morning when the plant is well-hydrated to avoid wilting from heat stress.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 27 May 2026
Beating the spotlight-wilting Maple Leafs was one thing.
—Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 11 May 2026
Our students are not wilting flowers.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 4 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
Why are my basil cuttings wilting in water?
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wilting
Noun
-
In all these books, animals serve as mirrors, reflecting our personal and societal shortcomings and shame, our hubris, anxiety, and moral failings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
Shortly after the theft, Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu accused the Drents Museum of security failings—a claim the museum rejected—amid mounting threats of legal action against the Dutch.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
If there’s an extended dry period and the foliage is drooping, give the cosmos plant some water.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
1 June 2026
-
As of this writing, Becerra holds his advantage, or what remains of it, and looks on track to take the drooping cake.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The lefty was fading in his fourth inning.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 June 2026
-
The era of checklist sightseeing is fading.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Available in red or navy, the sandals are adjustable for comfort with quick-drying straps so water isn't an issue, and the sole was crafted to grip river rocks so slipping is never an issue.—
Kelsey Legg,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
-
Or, dry towels on an outdoor clothesline or drying rack.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Friday, a weakening ridge and an approaching front will allow scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop.—
Lauren Bostwick,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
-
But the United States' retreat from the worldwide public health stage amid the outbreak in Africa and a worldwide measles outbreak has some experts concerned any weakening of public health makes the America susceptible to infectious diseases.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
There was a catalog from JCPenney, an EHS yearbook and a copy of the school dress code, which laid out such rules as boys being prohibited from having hair hanging over the top of the ears or lower than their collar and Bermuda shorts being only ones allowed.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
-
Common sense dictates hanging wall cabinets first.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
These include the Triple Collagen Cream from Medicube, which features a blend of shea butter, elastin, and collagen to firm and lift sagging skin.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
8 June 2026
-
During my thirties, sagging skin wasn’t really an issue for me.—
Leah Groth,
InStyle,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Brooke Lynn Heights can play the withering queen bee role she’s given in her sleep, while Marcia Marcia Marcia and Symoné prove amusingly bitchy lackies.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
9 June 2026
-
During the four-month primary campaign, Raman offered withering critiques of Bass’ first term, saying the mayor failed to act with urgency on homelessness, apartment construction, street repairs and the exodus of entertainment jobs from the region.—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wilting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wilting. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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