wilts

verb

present tense third-person singular of wilt
1
as in droops
to be limp from lack of water or vigor the plants wilted after I forgot to water them for three whole days

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2
as in fades
to lose bodily strength or vigor she had wilted a bit after walking around the hot and humid city

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dries
to lose liveliness, force, or freshness after six solid hours of painting, his energy was starting to wilt

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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 wilts When to Harvest Spinach Harvest spinach early in the morning when temperatures are cool and before the sun wilts the leaves, says gardening instructor Meg Austin. — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 7 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wilts
  1. droops
  2. fades
  3. dries
  4. hangs
  5. weakens
  6. sags
  7. goes
  8. fails
Verb
  • Too thick of a mascara coat, and suddenly my gaze droops.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The cream should hold a soft, semi-sturdy peak that gently droops at the tip without collapsing entirely.
    — Gabi De la Rosa, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2025
Definition of droops
Verb
  • Too often, participation fades just as the lifelong benefits begin.
    — Lindsay Davenport, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Slowing down to test demand, unit economics and operational readiness helps companies avoid costly overexpansion and build growth that lasts after the hype fades.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of fades
Verb
  • This powerful, compact tool dries hair fast without heat damage.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • As clay soil dries again, the remaining moisture becomes difficult for plants to access.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of dries
Verb
  • Wild Bill Hickok’s chair hangs over the door, and there’s enough sawdust on the floor to burn the place down.
    — Jacqueline Kehoe, Midwest Living, 19 Aug. 2026
  • And as lawmakers negotiate final compromises, a 2021 procedural standoff hangs over the effort, reminding the industry how quickly momentum can evaporate on the Senate floor.
    — Cleve Mesidor, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of hangs
Verb
  • The use of noble language to describe a process that weakens constitutional guardrails only widens the disconnect between words and actions.
    — Yuripzy Morgan, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The erosion of those countries’ industrial capacity ultimately weakens their ability to compete with and resist China economically, diplomatically, and militarily.
    — Bill Cassidy, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of weakens
Verb
  • Unfortunately, using too little paint will leave patchy areas and harsh lines, and using too much paint will promote drips and paint that sags.
    — Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 6 July 2026
  • There is no scrapeable archive of how to grasp a wet cup, unload a box that sags in the middle, fold a towel, or help an older adult out of a chair.
    — Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Definition of sags
Verb
  • Cantlay is too far back to be an automatic qualifier, but getting to East Lake goes a long way toward being an easy pick.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • However, car safety goes way beyond just being behind the wheel.
    — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of goes
Verb
  • The company never fails to emphasize that its frequent interventions are designed to provide a more accurate picture of media consumption—which, as everyone at least seems to agree, is what it’s accomplished with its out-of-home measurement.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Why Resistance Deserves More Attention A focus on resistance is important because resistance is often where change fails operationally.
    — John Radman, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of fails

Browse Nearby Words

wilting
wilts
wily
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Cite this Entry

“Wilts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wilts. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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