as in to fade
to lose bodily strength or vigor
older people, especially, were languishing during the prolonged heat wave
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Recent Examples of languish
In the second, supply balloons while demand languishes, which could happen if, for example, the AI bubble pops.
—
Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
For years, the case languished amid limited evidence and shifting investigative priorities.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
Pennies languished between couch cushions and on closet floors, clogging vacuum cleaners and landfills.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
Means’ languishing nomination after appearing for a confirmation hearing in February reflects the skepticism that lawmakers of both parties have expressed toward the direction Kennedy has taken his department.
—Mike Stobbe, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for languish
Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
For years, the case languished amid limited evidence and shifting investigative priorities.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
Pennies languished between couch cushions and on closet floors, clogging vacuum cleaners and landfills.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2026
Means’ languishing nomination after appearing for a confirmation hearing in February reflects the skepticism that lawmakers of both parties have expressed toward the direction Kennedy has taken his department.
—Mike Stobbe, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for languish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languish
Verb
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Garments spanning nylon half-zips to French Terry sweatshirts, garments look faded and worn-in and feature hallmarks of denim like whiskers, creases, abrasions and breakages that tell stories of time and use.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
24 Apr. 2026
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It's become the default mode of governing for majorities in Congress as bipartisanship on major issues fades away.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The deeper the rifts between the United States and Europe over Iran, the greater the chances of weakening the NATO alliance.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
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During his appearances on Capitol Hill this month, Secretary Kennendy was grilled about the administration's defense of the pesticide industry and weakening of protections against mercury pollution, another issue that Kennedy had worked on as an advocate.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Instead, the 2026 draft saw a running back go third, a middle linebacker go seventh, and nine offensive linemen gone by the end of the first round.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
There’s a lot that goes (on) behind the scene as a manager.—
Ronald Blum,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Johnson became the club’s sixth man midway through the 2023-24 campaign when then-coach Gregg Popovich moved him to the bench hoping the the high-energy 29th overall pick of the 2019 draft would energize a sagging second unit.—
Tom Orsborn,
San Antonio Express-News,
22 Apr. 2026
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Broadway box office sagged a bit last week, possibly as the previous week’s Easter vacationers and spring-breakers returned home and a crowded, 40-show production slate with lots of newcomers competed with one another for attention.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If Campbell fails, then speculation can fairly begin.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
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Just to recap, Dach had the puck in overtime in the neutral zone but failed to gain the red line before flipping the puck down the ice to get a change, being forced to stay on the ice when that puck crossed the Lightning goal line for an icing.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Redick worked with James’ trainer Mike Mancias to ensure his 41-year-old star’s durability in the final aughts of the game – the four-time NBA MVP eventually playing a team-high 45 minutes while using any opportunity to sink to the floor for a breather.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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Since local rain accounts for 40% of the region’s drinking water supply, folks from Los Angeles County Public Works were busy making sure it got captured and sunk into reservoirs and groundwater basins as non-rainy day storage.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Palestinian Authority’s power has withered amid years without peace negotiations and Israel tightening its grip on the West Bank.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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Their global footprint and their domestic market both have withered away over the last half-century, the finger of blame largely pointing at themselves.—
Jamie Lincoln Kitman,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Languish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languish. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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