Synonyms of withering

withering 1 of 2

noun

as in failing

Related Words

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

Dissimilar Words

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

withering

2 of 2

verb

present participle of wither

1

as in drying

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in fading

to lose bodily strength or vigor

if he's left on his own, he'll just wither and die

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of withering

Verb

Atlanta City Council is directing city departments to beef up efforts to protect residents from the growing threat of extreme heat after the city recently faced withering critiques from homeless services groups for its response to a recent heatwave. — Drew Kann, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Her essay is the quintessential death by a thousand withering cuts that is a noxious hallmark of academia. — ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2026

But like Miranda, Erika, brought to vibrant life by Olivia Wilde, has a withering glare, a commanding presence and killer timing. — ABC News, 29 July 2026

Here’s how often to water your shrubs during a heat wave to keep them from withering. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 July 2026

His case prompted a withering rebuke from the California Supreme Court, which said Kaiser’s system of arbitrating legal disputes was subject to long delays and unfair to its members. — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026

The truth was that all of it was, and is, simply withering away. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026

Among the other Paris attractions to close amid the withering heat are Notre-Dame de Paris, which closed its towers earlier this week, and the Palais de Tokyo, which has shuttered its exhibitions entirely from June 22 through June 27. — News Desk, Artforum, 24 June 2026

Outnumbered over 10 to 1, the British volleys against them were withering, and again they were thrown back. — Paul Callahan, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2026