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

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

But his 2026 breakout has been anchored by a stump speech built around a withering take down of the president. — ABC News, 18 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

Brooke Lynn Heights can play the withering queen bee role she’s given in her sleep, while Marcia Marcia Marcia and Symoné prove amusingly bitchy lackies. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 9 June 2026

Rick Dolliver, a lobsterman who also runs a popular bar in the town, gave a withering verdict on the Democratic hopeful. — David Millward, The Washington Examiner, 7 June 2026

Months of withering brutal weather gave way to soccer abandon on the turf, as two of Ottawa’s best junior teams clashed in the sunlight. — Paula Newton, CNN Money, 6 June 2026