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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Recent Examples of withering
Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for withering
Verb
Both quarterbacks faced quality defenses and challenges in their own ways — Herbert with the withering pass rush and Nix with the frustrating Jesse Minter shells that keep everything in front and require a combination of patience and opportunism.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 22 Sep. 2025
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
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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Alcohol is very drying and can cause the wood in furniture to crack.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 Nov. 2025
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From trendy picks in quick-drying materials to sculpting pairs that offer just the right squeeze, these are the very best leggings for yoga.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Specifically, the official tasting notes detail cedar, nutmeg, and cinnamon on the nose; vanilla extract, butterscotch, and black pepper on the palate; and fading black pepper and some more cinnamon on the finish.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
11 Nov. 2025
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When Susana’s fading mind begins to fold past and present into one, the film becomes a meditation on time and the traces family stories leave behind.—
Essie Assibu,
Variety,
11 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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Another telltale sign is finding green or black streaks along the inner wood of wilting branches.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Nov. 2025
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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
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 procedures listed include breast augmentations, tummy tucks and, yes, facelifts, whether that be mini (short scar) facelifts or full facelifts, both of which address signs of aging like sagging skin, loose jowls and creases.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
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The high-tech mask uses a combination of red, red plus infrared, and blue LEDs that help with common skin problems like fine lines, sagging, wrinkles, dullness, and uneven texture.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Withering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withering. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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