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
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 wilting
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2025
Inspect the plant and its soil for signs like yellowing or wilting leaves, smelly soil, dropping leaves, leaf spots, and failure to bloom.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
The sellers had painted the walls a yellowish hue hovering somewhere between a ripe banana and the grey of a wilting pear.
—Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Their two fourth-quarter drives started strong and ended up wilting, first with the Nix pick and second with a couple of bad penalties on Dobbins (for spiking the ball after a run) and tight end Adam Trautman (facemask).
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
Dylan found the brick house with the peach pink tulips wilting in the window.
—Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025
Swathe greens, herbs, and other veggies in damp paper towels to retain moisture levels and keep the produce from wilting.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
The Heat won the third quarter 26-21 to enter the fourth quarter with a 91-90 lead before wilting down the stretch.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Into the mix are their best friends, lawyer Barry (Andy Samberg) and his wife Amy (Kate McKinnon), who mostly are observers of the wilting Roses but with just the right touch of sympathy and advice.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2025
Use an ice cube tray to freeze lemon juice, wilting herbs, and even red wine, all of which are perfect additions to your home cooking.
—Gia Mora, Treehugger, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
The plant may experience transplant shock and show some wilting.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2025
Inspect the plant and its soil for signs like yellowing or wilting leaves, smelly soil, dropping leaves, leaf spots, and failure to bloom.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
The sellers had painted the walls a yellowish hue hovering somewhere between a ripe banana and the grey of a wilting pear.
—Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Their two fourth-quarter drives started strong and ended up wilting, first with the Nix pick and second with a couple of bad penalties on Dobbins (for spiking the ball after a run) and tight end Adam Trautman (facemask).
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
Dylan found the brick house with the peach pink tulips wilting in the window.
—Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
Another telltale sign is finding green or black streaks along the inner wood of wilting branches.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025
Swathe greens, herbs, and other veggies in damp paper towels to retain moisture levels and keep the produce from wilting.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2025
The Heat won the third quarter 26-21 to enter the fourth quarter with a 91-90 lead before wilting down the stretch.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Into the mix are their best friends, lawyer Barry (Andy Samberg) and his wife Amy (Kate McKinnon), who mostly are observers of the wilting Roses but with just the right touch of sympathy and advice.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2025
Use an ice cube tray to freeze lemon juice, wilting herbs, and even red wine, all of which are perfect additions to your home cooking.
—Gia Mora, Treehugger, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wilting
Noun
-
The editor of the Pine Bluff Commercial earned second place for commentary in a contest organized by America's Newspapers for his coverage of the failings of a city tax initiative that promised civic and economic restoration.—
Grant Lancaster,
Arkansas Online,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The new report only adds to a number of security failings exposed by the heist.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Symptoms can appear rapidly, often including trouble with eye movement, vision problems, face drooping, headaches, nausea, loss of balance, problems with talking or chewing.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Signs of overwatering include drooping, wilting, or yellowing leaves.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Even the combative Venezuela of eight years ago, where kids with homemade shields assembled in the streets day after day to battle the dictatorship’s goons, is a fading memory.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Cheney is remembered as a chief architect of the war in Iraq after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and a member of an old Republican Party guard that is quickly fading away.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The interior cabinet even includes a heat vent for further drying and warming gear.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Select the heated dry cycle or leave the dishwasher door slightly ajar to promote drying after the cycle completes.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The hurricane entered western Cuba as a Category 3, but the island’s mountains ripped up the eye, weakening but also broadening the storm.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Africa’s democracy index score has regressed recently, shrinking each of the past six years, pointing at voter dissatisfaction and weakening institutions.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
With one out already on the board, Rojas stepped up in the ninth hole and delivered a line-drive home run, hitting the ball over the wall on a hanging pitch by Toronto Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
In my professional opinion, refillable packaging would be most ideal for sustainability and practicality, but this low hanging fruit for right now.—
Stixx Mathews,
Essence,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The procedures listed include breast augmentations, tummy tucks and, yes, facelifts, whether that be mini (short scar) facelifts or full facelifts, both of which address signs of aging like sagging skin, loose jowls and creases.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The high-tech mask uses a combination of red, red plus infrared, and blue LEDs that help with common skin problems like fine lines, sagging, wrinkles, dullness, and uneven texture.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Her queerness, though, got rejected by her parents (Merritt Wever channeling a withering scorn and a pious look that is cold and unnerving).—
Andrew Gilbert,
Mercury News,
6 Nov. 2025
-
But after withering on the Houston bench for two years in an overcrowded forward rotation, he’s primed for a leap in Year 3.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wilting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wilting. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share