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
Rick Jervis, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026
Catherine is all defensive spikes, while Robert, both dead and alive, can be withering in his judgment.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Emond, as Suzanna’s hypercritical mother, puts an Olympic-level spin on her withering observations.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026
Months after its withering box-office performance, Costner defended his position.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for withering
Verb
At an April 16 House hearing, Michael Kozak, a senior official in the State Department's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, fielded withering questions from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, underscoring the complexity of the issue.
—Rick Jervis, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026
Catherine is all defensive spikes, while Robert, both dead and alive, can be withering in his judgment.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Emond, as Suzanna’s hypercritical mother, puts an Olympic-level spin on her withering observations.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026
Months after its withering box-office performance, Costner defended his position.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for withering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withering
Noun
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Not the individual failing, not even the generational one, but the architecture of permission that organized the emotional lives of everyone within its radius.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2026
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The previous Lord of the Flies adaptations, whatever their failings otherwise, were similarly showcases for casting discoveries.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
4 May 2026
Verb
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This interactive project looks at the impact of warmer, shorter winters on regions all over the country, from less ice fishing in Minnesota and fewer ski days in Colorado to drying reservoirs in the Southwest and more ticks and mosquitoes in the Northeast.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
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Finding the right waterproof sandal is key, where quick-drying materials, durability, and customized comfort reign supreme.—
Lara Kramer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Best gentle shampoo for colored hair This award-winning shampoo and conditioner duo is made with organic rose oil and peaches, which revive dull or fading color.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
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The Southern Living Plant Collection includes 'Sunset Celebration' gaillardia, which is red and yellow and resists fading.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
Noun
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The aim wasn’t a knockout, but the gradual deterioration of San Antonio.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
5 May 2026
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Mayor Gloria’s egregious record of reckless spending has contributed to the steady deterioration of our city’s fiscal and civic health.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Our students are not wilting flowers.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
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To keep fresh herbs from wilting too quickly, trim the ends, then wrap them in a damp paper towel or cloth before storing.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Dunn said Black domestic workers were often forced to work longer on election days by their white families, weakening their chances of casting a ballot.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 May 2026
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If next week’s jobs report shows a still resilient labor market, that could relieve investors wary of a weakening economic outlook.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
Noun
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However, the incidents have contributed to a worsening of the mood around Madrid and should also be considered notable for that reason.—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
5 May 2026
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The South Bay has been able to absorb thousands of layoffs yet still avoid a worsening of the jobless rate in the region, Hancock noted.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Another shopper highlighted that the fabric has just the right amount of structure to drape well without sagging or clinging.—
Staff Author,
Southern Living,
6 May 2026
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Some influencers claim that releasing tight fascia in the face can rebuild collagen and lift sagging tissues in the face, leading to firmer skin, but experts are skeptical about any long-lasting benefit.—
Scott Haak,
EverydayHealth.com,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Withering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withering. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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