DYING Synonyms: 169 Similar and Opposite Words

dying 1 of 3

adjective

ˈdī-iŋ

Definition of dying

as in fallen

nearly dead we watered the dying plants just in time

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

dying

2 of 3

noun

as in death

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

dying

3 of 3

verb

present participle of die

as in perishing

to stop living the king died of old age after a long and fruitful reign

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ending

to come to an end the storm died just as dawn was breaking over the horizon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in failing

to stop functioning fortunately, when the engine died we were only two blocks from home

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

starting (up)

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of dying

Adjective

What’s the vibe for you, post-dying? — Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 22 June 2026 Garden centers aren't giving a refund for a dying or dead plant but rather a discount on a new purchase. — Lauren David, Southern Living, 17 Dec. 2025

Noun

Formal rites for the dying, already limited, were further truncated or skipped entirely. — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026 Her sister, Lydia (Alejandra Flechner), accuses her of being a better caregiver to the dying than the living. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2026 As many people who care for a dying loved one know all too well, the grieving process started for Bullock long before Randall died. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026 In contrast, those with all three conditions averaged just 17 years before developing dementia or dying. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Advertisement In the final phase of dying—a period Barbara Karnes, a hospice nurse and educator since the 1970s, calls labor—many people become nonresponsive. — Angela Haupt, Time, 5 Aug. 2026 But does a basil plant covered in black spots mean its dying? — Heather Bien, The Spruce, 26 July 2026 Due to such discomfort – or for other reasons – people often delay making plans for their own dying process. — Jane Callahan, The Conversation, 14 July 2026 Tis hard to see the mighty prancing war horse, trampling the dying and dead beneath their merciless feet. — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026

Verb

At the same time, Harris, closer in age to his part than the women, moves and sounds like the old cowboys, with an affecting note of sorrow — the lion dying, and dying with regrets — sounding throughout his performance. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026 Amaya says researchers have already seen evidence of sea birds dying in response to warmer water temperatures along the coast. — Ava Berger, NPR, 19 Oct. 2026 Their voice is gone, longtime public address announcer Lawrence Tanter dying last month at age 76 after more than four decades of dulcet downtown tones. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 One Chicago priest dying from cancer was denied a funeral mass at her longtime parish. — Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 More Ukrainians are dying as a result of these technological shifts. — Gerard Toal, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026 The ICUs were quiet also, because rows of patients slowly dying on ventilators don’t make noise. — Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026 Tomlinson plays Cat’s younger sister, Laura Quinn, a spirited single mother with a stubborn streak who had her hands full long before the people of Stillwater suddenly stopped aging or dying. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026 Despite efforts to save her life, Douglas ended up dying from her injuries. — Coleman Petit, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dying

Adjective

Brown and her relatives say the fallen officer tragedy has reignited their trauma and desperation for justice.

— Liz Crawford, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
The Florida deaths involved a fallen tree and a man found in a closed garage with a running generator.

— Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of fallen

Noun

The death of actor and disability rights advocate RJ Mitte was met with a wave of grief from his Breaking Bad co-stars, who shared memories of Mitte following the tragedy.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2026
Pavlovsky worked alongside Karl Lagerfeld until his death in 2019; Virginie Viard from 2019 to 2024, and Matthieu Blazy since April 2025.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of death

Verb

This summer has been a deadly one in Europe, with over 10,000 people perishing in the extreme heat over just a few weeks.

— Morgan Simon, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Julie Chen Moonves shares her thoughts on that wild Big Brother premiere, including Rachel Reilly perishing in a volcano.

— Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 10 July 2026

Definition of perishing

Verb

But the Mets missed the postseason in 2024 and were 10½ games out on April 26, ending the suspense early this season.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Miami needed 43 points, two overtimes and a replay review to uphold a game-ending interception, but the Hurricanes left Hard Rock Stadium with a comeback victory over rival Florida State on Saturday night.

— Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of ending

Verb

The water main break was the latest in Los Angeles over the last few months as officials struggle with aging infrastructure and failing water systems that have caused major disruptions for motorists and residents.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
After years of bootlegging, gambling, prostitution, and racketeering, Capone went down not for murder or mayhem but for failing to pay taxes.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of failing

Adjective

Two men were found dead inside a Long Beach home after one of them exchanged shots with police and sparked a standoff with SWAT officers in a residential neighborhood early Saturday morning, police said.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2026
The film follows a Polish burglar who assumes the identity of a dead stranger’s girlfriend, with unexpected results.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of dead

Noun

Above all, the election could herald the political demise of Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving PM, who has led the nation for all but 18 months since 2009.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 18 Oct. 2026
Columnist Bill Plaschke wrote how a team with seemingly every advantage fell short, beat writer Maddie Lee documented what led to the demise, while columnist Bill Shaikin provided updates to several questions on the team’s future.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of demise

Verb

The disruption has sent transits through the straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb falling sharply after mostly recovering to their pre-war levels.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
This all comes at a time when supply is falling — and falling faster than demand is recovering.

— Diana Olick, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of falling

Cite this Entry

Style

“Dying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dying. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of dying

adjective

noun

verb

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