wilting 1 of 3

adjective

as in sagging

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wilting

2 of 3

noun

as in failing

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Dissimilar Words

wilting

3 of 3

verb

present participle of wilt
1
as in drooping
to be limp from lack of water or vigor the plants wilted after I forgot to water them for three whole days

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2
as in fading
to lose bodily strength or vigor she had wilted a bit after walking around the hot and humid city

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3
as in drying
to lose liveliness, force, or freshness after six solid hours of painting, his energy was starting to wilt

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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 wilting
Adjective
Look for wilting flowers and any blooms forming seed pods at their base. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 30 June 2026 The first sign your peace lily is thirsty will be yellowing and wilting leaves. — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026 No wilting languor on this veranda — for that matter, no veranda either — just ferocity, desperation, and, of course, brutal desire. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2025
Noun
Other signs that the tree itself is struggling include wilting or yellowing leaves, fading needles on evergreens, smaller leaves, early leaf drop, dead branches, and an increasingly open canopy. — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026 Despite the big upturns for the closers, most Broadway productions saw at least some dips last week, perhaps due to the competition with the three departing shows, or maybe just some summer wilting. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026 Let the soil dry somewhat between waterings, so that constant moisture isn’t present, but not to the point of wilting. — Leah Chester-Davis, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2026 How to Revive a Hydrangea Without Deadheading If your hydrangea is not blooming abundantly or suffering from wilting, browning, or yellowing leaves, this can be a sign of plant stress. — Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 6 Aug. 2026 The early signs of root rot—yellowing, wilting, and dropping leaves—can fool you into thinking the plant needs more water. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 July 2026 If needed, water again during the heat of the day, even misting the plants a little to prevent wilting. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026
Verb
In the fall different flowers, the last of the season, will be finally wilting. — Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026 Sinner, who needed the title to complete a career Grand Slam of his own, lost to Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerúndolo from the verge of victory, wilting in the heat of Paris and with no little help from an illness. — James Hansen, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Other key signs include dead grass, wilting plants, or root damage near the mounds, as the tunneling can negatively impact your yard and garden. — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 14 Aug. 2026 To my horror, the blooms that were beautifully open two days before my party had actually started wilting and dropping petals by the time the day of the party arrived. — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 23 July 2026 Alcaraz missed this year's French Open — and Wimbledon — with a wrist injury, and Sinner was eliminated in the second round in Paris after wilting in the heat. — ABC News, 12 July 2026 Underwatering Gardening expert Jen McDonald says that underwatering is the most common reason for petunias wilting. — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 27 June 2026 While wearing the glasses, a wearer can ask questions about topics in one's surroundings, like asking for more information about a landmark on vacation, identifying care instructions for a wilting plant or discovering a full recipe for a dish at a favorite restaurant. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 23 June 2026 Intended as a celebration of the progress embodied by the nation's first Black leader, its Juneteenth unveiling comes at a time when his agenda - and broader diversity initiatives - are wilting from a decade of concerted attack. — Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wilting
  1. failing
  2. drooping
  3. fading
  4. drying
  5. weakening
  6. hanging
  7. sagging
  8. withering
Noun
  • Modern interpreters have read his 10 heads as signifying his vast knowledge of 10 sacred texts, or alternately his 10 ethical failings, but the Ramayana account describes him as 10-headed from birth.
    — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The instinct for many researchers is to treat uncertainty as a failing, something to paper over before anyone notices.
    — Aleeza Gerstein, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of failing
Verb
  • Petals that are fading, drooping, dropping off, or turning brown are all signs that the flower is reaching the end of its life and is ready to be removed.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Nutrient Deficiencies While less common, peace lilies can eventually exhaust the supply of nutrients in their potting soil and start drooping as a result.
    — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of drooping
Verb
  • As the conflict grinds on, Trump’s talk of finding a quick end to the war also appears to be fading.
    — Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • European banks have shaken off a weak first quarter to notch solid share price gains in the year to date, but Citi analysts warn their momentum may be fading.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of fading
Verb
  • Uniqlo offers Airism, a collection of light, smooth innerwear, T-shirts and casualwear designed to be cool-to-the-touch, moisture-wicking and fast-drying.
    — David Moin, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Air drying removes moisture and concentrates the herb’s flavor.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of drying
Noun
  • Rapid weakening, however, is expected after the center of the storm moves inland.
    — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • In an interview with CNBC on the sidelines of the G20 meeting, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington wouldn't object if Tokyo intervened to support a weakening yen.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of weakening
Verb
  • Her body was discovered in a bathroom, hanging by the neck from the towel rack.
    — Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Gibney leaves the insinuation hanging — was this a troll or a confession?
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of hanging
Verb
  • If your couch cushions are sagging and the springs are worn, use this 62%-off sofa deal as an excuse to upgrade ahead of hosting season.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Well-hydrated skin tends to look plumper and smoother, which makes fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging less noticeable.
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of sagging
Verb
  • Some reports suggested Bonta’s office sought the negotiations amid withering political pressure.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 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
Definition of withering

Browse Nearby Words

wilted
wilting
wilts
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Cite this Entry

“Wilting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wilting. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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