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

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. — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 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

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. — ABC News, 10 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

No bear population, even one as obviously robust as the Southern one, could withstand the withering assaults of very many Colliers and his contemporaries. — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026

The whole supporting cast is great, but look out for Saskia Chana as Leila’s best friend Deniz, a fount of withering lines delivered with deadpan panache. — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026

Atlanta City Council is directing city departments to beef up efforts to protect residents from the growing threat of extreme heat after the city recently faced withering critiques from homeless services groups for its response to a recent heatwave. — Drew Kann, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026