as in shriveled
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1
as in dried
to lose liveliness, force, or freshness
shortly after the moon landing, interest in the space program withered the old man seemed to wither suddenly upon turning 80
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in faded
to lose bodily strength or vigor
if he's left on his own, he'll just wither and die
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Recent Examples of withered
John Hollinger, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Hidden behind a large flowerpot with a single withered flower, the windows are covered over by a grayish-yellow curtain, brittle with lager fumes.
—Zuzana Říhová, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
During Marie’s private lesson with Cipher, Cate and Jordan infiltrate the dean’s house, finding a withered old man in a hyperbaric chamber.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
Given America’s withered afloat support capabilities, shepherding fleets of small craft around Cape Horn is an almost insurmountable logistical challenge.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Its unwillingness or inability to act in the face of the offensive brings home, more powerfully than anything else, just how much this branch of government has withered away in recent decades.
—Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 24 Dec. 2025
Nineties rockers withered under his jaded stare.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025
These talking points, which have been embraced by Republicans and Democrats alike, call on nationalism to reboot an industry withered by decades of retrenchment.
—Colin Jones, New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2025
The vanishing subcompact Most automakers did sell compact and subcompact cars in the US — until demand withered.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 16 Dec. 2025
Those roots have withered in Cuba.
—Oscar Biscet, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
But previous Daniel Jones models would have withered after such an ugly start and retreated to an all-checkdown menu for the rest of the game.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Competition, however, has withered in American elections.
—Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Among other moves this offseason, the Kings traded Jonas Valančiūnas for the withered remains of Dario Šarić and passed on a golden opportunity to lock in 3-and-D wing Keon Ellis at a value rate by declining his team option and re-signing him as a restricted free agent.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Hidden behind a large flowerpot with a single withered flower, the windows are covered over by a grayish-yellow curtain, brittle with lager fumes.
—Zuzana Říhová, Literary Hub, 26 Sep. 2025
During Marie’s private lesson with Cipher, Cate and Jordan infiltrate the dean’s house, finding a withered old man in a hyperbaric chamber.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025
Given America’s withered afloat support capabilities, shepherding fleets of small craft around Cape Horn is an almost insurmountable logistical challenge.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
Russian-Cuban ties withered after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, plunging Cuba into a grueling depression.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
Its unwillingness or inability to act in the face of the offensive brings home, more powerfully than anything else, just how much this branch of government has withered away in recent decades.
—Noah Feldman, Twin Cities, 24 Dec. 2025
Nineties rockers withered under his jaded stare.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025
These talking points, which have been embraced by Republicans and Democrats alike, call on nationalism to reboot an industry withered by decades of retrenchment.
—Colin Jones, New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2025
The vanishing subcompact Most automakers did sell compact and subcompact cars in the US — until demand withered.
—Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 16 Dec. 2025
Those roots have withered in Cuba.
—Oscar Biscet, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025
But previous Daniel Jones models would have withered after such an ugly start and retreated to an all-checkdown menu for the rest of the game.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Competition, however, has withered in American elections.
—Craig Gilbert, jsonline.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withered
Verb
-
If the wet area is dried within 24 to 48 hours, mold is less likely to grow.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Each utensil is cleaned, and the bowl is warmed, dried and filled with three scoops of powdered tea before hot water is added and kneaded with the whisk into a smooth, thick mixture.—
The Conversation,
The Conversation,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Once the flowers have faded, trim the stalks 1 to 2 inches above the bulb, retaining the green foliage.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The Lakers faded down the stretch to 27 points from the Spurs’ Keldon Johnson and 16 points and 14 rebounds by Victor Wembanyama.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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But more alarming than the ways in which this physical space could turn against us was the simple metaphor of a wizened little man pulling a boat down a river in the dark.—
Ann Patchett,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Arsenal also agreed a deal for another teenager, the 16-year-old Shamrock Rovers midfielder Victor Ozhianvuna, a wizened old veteran by comparison.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
With some estimates putting wave heights as much as 35 feet, weakened hatch covers would have been vulnerable to such waves.—
Stephen J. Beard,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The years of horrific violence have weakened Sudan, plunging its institutions into chaos and making its population more vulnerable and poorer.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
During the conversation, Van Der Beek opened up about the overwhelming response to his gaunt appearance during September's Dawson's Creek reunion.—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
19 Dec. 2025
-
Van Der Beek's notably gaunt face sparked speculation about his condition amid his cancer battle.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Pre-festival enthusiasm sagged compared to the inaugural year.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
-
His public approval has mostly sagged since his inauguration as Americans worry about the economy.—
Reuters
Wire Service,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Investigators later searched the Ephrata home and storage unit of Jonathan Christ Gerlach, 34, and reported finding more than 100 human skulls, long bones, mummified hands and feet, two decomposing torsos and other skeletal items.—
Mark Scolforo,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Turtles, like all reptiles, require these rays to produce vitamin D and promote skeletal health.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Now, the film is a downright classic, centering on three haggard witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy) who go on a hilarious misadventure while trying to remain young forever.—
Keith Langston,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
In addition to skiing excursions, the winter sports menu includes such trying activities as snow shoe walking, ice diving, and dog sledding—great backdrops in front of which drunken or haggard travelers can snip at each other.—
Charlie Hobbs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Withered.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withered. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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