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

She is perhaps best known for Trifles, an adaptation of her own reporting on a particularly grisly murder case and a withering examination of the violence that sporadically bursts from women in a world where men do violence daily. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026

Bass has issued withering critiques of Raman, portraying her as uninformed about Black voters and their history in the city. — Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Canada doubled down on its historic 24-21 win in Toronto last week with sustained defensive pressure and a withering three-try burst in nine minutes around the hour mark. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

His astute stand-up and withering, spot-on insights into race, relationships and celebrity have influenced countless comedians and writers. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026

His long, tousled hair, stubble, withering gaze, and ever-present cigarette gave him an air of punk-rock danger. — Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026

BepiColombo's laser instrument should confirm how much Mercury is withering as a result of internal cooling, said Gaku Nishiyama, the study's lead author who is taking part in the space mission. — Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026

Everything was growing all at once, all over the place, blooming, withering, and crashing to the earth. — Kendra Nordin Beato, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Aug. 2026

Featuring tons of interviews from whistleblowers and ex-employees, this is a withering critique of capitalism that needs to be seen. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 14 Aug. 2026