as in failing
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fading
to lose bodily strength or vigor
if he's left on his own, he'll just wither and die
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of withering
Matt Negrin, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2025
Cinematic depictions of criticism are usually withering at best, and pointedly personal at worst.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
During a tough year for local restaurants, at a time when even upscale spots are withering in the cruel Miami summer, George’s stands out as a spot that truly is a community magnet.
—Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2025
Across the album, Khamari gets introspective regarding withering romances, crises of faith and the frustrating allure of distance.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for withering
Verb
This lore drop about the legendary warrior-chief is a withering tease for Kōnane, a once-ubiquitous pastime that was carved into stone slabs across the islands, some of which still protrude from the ground.
—Matt Negrin, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2025
Cinematic depictions of criticism are usually withering at best, and pointedly personal at worst.
—Katie Rife, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
During a tough year for local restaurants, at a time when even upscale spots are withering in the cruel Miami summer, George’s stands out as a spot that truly is a community magnet.
—Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2025
Across the album, Khamari gets introspective regarding withering romances, crises of faith and the frustrating allure of distance.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for withering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withering
Noun
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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
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The new report only adds to a number of security failings exposed by the heist.—
Joseph Ataman,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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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
Verb
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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
Noun
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Some of it is also related to the age and deterioration of much of the grid, which now requires rebuilding.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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The deterioration in the labor market has been concentrated in payroll employment, which is the [datapoint] that is the most susceptible to demographic and immigration changes.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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That goes even further than DESI's hints at weakening dark energy.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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The central bank cut its benchmark rate for the second time this year at its most recent meeting, in part to help bolster the economy amid a weakening job market.—
Fortune,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In the old tool, the factors weren’t measured by a worsening, neutral or improving score.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Oct. 2025
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Potential complications include sinus and ear infections; inflammation of the heart, brain or muscle tissues; multi-organ failure; sepsis or the worsening of chronic conditions like asthma.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The structures were sagging under the weight of so many books.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
20 Oct. 2025
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The dilapidated wooden trim and sagging porticos were spruced up a few years ago after preservationists complained to the Landmarks Preservation Commission, but the upstairs windows reveal glimpses of peeling paint, crumbling plaster, and collapsing ceilings inside.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Withering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withering. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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