Synonyms of wilting

wilting 1 of 3

adjective

as in sagging

Related Words

• sagging
• drooping
• flagging
• lolling
• dangling
• hanging
• pendent
• suspended
• dependent
• pendulous

wilting

2 of 3

noun

as in failing

Related Words

• failing
• weakening
• fading
• deterioration
• worsening
• sinking
• withering
• degeneration
• decline
• languishing
• wasting (away)
• regression
• relapse

Dissimilar Words

• recovery
• healing
• rehabilitation
• convalescence
• recuperation
• rally
• comeback
• mending
• revival
• rehab
• resuscitation
• survival
• snapback

wilting

3 of 3

verb

present participle of wilt

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

• drooping
• hanging
• sagging
• falling
• flagging
• slumping
• lolling
• subsiding
• collapsing
• swagging
• slouching
• crumpling
• sinking
• dropping
• yielding
• caving (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stiffening
• distending
• rising
• straightening
• uncurling
• unbending

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

• fading
• weakening
• sagging
• going
• drooping
• failing
• decaying
• sinking
• withering
• lagging
• deteriorating
• languishing
• flagging
• wasting (away)
• emaciating
• rotting
• yielding
• wearing out
• degenerating
• breaking down
• running down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• recovering
• rallying
• recuperating
• gaining
• convalescing
• rebounding

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

• drying
• fading
• withering
• shriveling
• waning
• diminishing
• decreasing
• declining
• mummifying
• lessening
• wizening

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• blooming
• reviving
• growing
• flourishing
• increasing
• thriving
• prospering
• developing
• freshening
• waxing
• surging
• peaking
• cresting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of wilting

Adjective

Look for wilting flowers and any blooms forming seed pods at their base. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 30 June 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

Despite the big upturns for the closers, most Broadway productions saw at least some dips last week, perhaps due to the competition with the three departing shows, or maybe just some summer wilting. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026

Let the soil dry somewhat between waterings, so that constant moisture isn’t present, but not to the point of wilting. — Leah Chester-Davis, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2026

How to Revive a Hydrangea Without Deadheading If your hydrangea is not blooming abundantly or suffering from wilting, browning, or yellowing leaves, this can be a sign of plant stress. — Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 6 Aug. 2026

Leaf edges that curl up or down indicate wilting, while brown, crispy leaf edges suggest the roots aren’t supplying enough water to the outer edges of the foliage. — Rachel Gillett, Martha Stewart, 28 July 2026

The early signs of root rot—yellowing, wilting, and dropping leaves—can fool you into thinking the plant needs more water. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 July 2026

If needed, water again during the heat of the day, even misting the plants a little to prevent wilting. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026

Verb

Sinner, who needed the title to complete a career Grand Slam of his own, lost to Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerúndolo from the verge of victory, wilting in the heat of Paris and with no little help from an illness. — James Hansen, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Other key signs include dead grass, wilting plants, or root damage near the mounds, as the tunneling can negatively impact your yard and garden. — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 14 Aug. 2026

To my horror, the blooms that were beautifully open two days before my party had actually started wilting and dropping petals by the time the day of the party arrived. — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 23 July 2026

Alcaraz missed this year's French Open — and Wimbledon — with a wrist injury, and Sinner was eliminated in the second round in Paris after wilting in the heat. — ABC News, 12 July 2026

Underwatering Gardening expert Jen McDonald says that underwatering is the most common reason for petunias wilting. — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 27 June 2026

While wearing the glasses, a wearer can ask questions about topics in one's surroundings, like asking for more information about a landmark on vacation, identifying care instructions for a wilting plant or discovering a full recipe for a dish at a favorite restaurant. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 23 June 2026

Intended as a celebration of the progress embodied by the nation's first Black leader, its Juneteenth unveiling comes at a time when his agenda - and broader diversity initiatives - are wilting from a decade of concerted attack. — Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 18 June 2026