LANGUISH Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

languish

verb

ˈlaŋ-gwish

Definition of languish

as in to fade

to lose bodily strength or vigor older people, especially, were languishing during the prolonged heat wave

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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 languish Since then, Canada’s aerospace industry has largely languished. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 1 Oct. 2026 Some of the world’s best soccer stars and managers suddenly started signing for a club that had been languishing in mediocrity for some time. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026 Pelosi’s endorsement sent Chan, who had been languishing in polls, surging past Democratic tech millionaire Saikat Chakrabarti in the June primary. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026 Even the Air Jordan 1 had a period of languishing on shelves in the ’90s, but the Air Force 1 has never had a comparable dip in appeal. — Olivia Cigliano, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for languish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for languish

Verb

The film is set in Lucknow as the age of the nawabs (Muslim nobles) fades.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
But that boom eventually faded, overwhelmed by larger forces including the rise of the regulatory state and increasingly generous government bailouts.

— RUCHIR SHARMA, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of fade

Verb

But while those will provide short-term relief, the currency is expected to weaken toward the end of the year and mid-2027, and a 100 rupee-per-dollar mark could not be ruled out, strategists said.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
However, following his arrest, the owner, Mohammad Khan, blamed this week's rains for weakening one of the roofs, according to police, who said the investigation was still underway.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of weaken

Verb

Trailing the Brewers 2-0 in the best-of-seven series, the Dodgers desperately need to put themselves in the best possible position to win Game 3 and avoid four straight win-or-go-home contests.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
As a result of the fine, Treasury said that Bank of America will work with a third party to report any further transactions to FinCEN that had gone undetected.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of go

Verb

His thighs and sagging belly wrap tightly around the man’s head; his hands clutch at a long golf club and the scales of justice.

— Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
The BoMar Club has received just under thirty thousand dollars from the opioid settlement, to fix its roof and bolster outreach efforts, and Coleman was petitioning the commission for more money to redo the floor, which sagged under our feet.

— Oliver Whang, New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of sag

Verb

Since then, multiple efforts to phase out or ban horse carriages have failed.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
The exchange of threats comes as Saudi Arabia investigates why its air defenses failed to intercept a barrage of missiles and drones fired by the Houthis.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of fail

Verb

That’s where the Chargers began sinking into that all-too-familiar quicksand, ultimately managing just six points.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026
They are discovered well beyond the bounds of the strategic map, where the winds shift, the old answers sink, and the pilot must find the way by dead reckoning.

— Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of sink

Verb

His astute stand-up and withering, spot-on insights into race, relationships and celebrity have influenced countless comedians and writers.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026
His long, tousled hair, stubble, withering gaze, and ever-present cigarette gave him an air of punk-rock danger.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of wither

Browse Nearby Words

languidness

languish

languished

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Style

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

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Synonyms of languish

verb

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