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 her death, much of her work has languished in a storage locker, dusted off only for a small local exhibition in 2015. Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2025 But despite the national fervor inspired by the death of the leader who was instrumental in the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964, legislation to honor him languished for years, according to the National Constitution Center. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 19 Jan. 2025 The cases, all involving crimes of various severity, had languished in the system. Kallie Cox, Charlotte Observer, 17 Jan. 2025 The proposal, introduced in 2023, has languished in committee without a hearing. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for languish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for languish
Verb
  • The resin material looks like solid wood but won’t fade in the sun or require repainting.
    Clint Davis, People.com, 23 Feb. 2025
  • The young designer with Nigerian-Indian origins has incorporated files and documents into T-shirts, and has used a fading method on some of the pieces and inserted pieces of gold embroidery onto the shirts and dresses.
    Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • In the bond market, Treasury yields fell after a report said sales at U.S. retailers weakened by much more last month than economists expected.
    Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2025
  • His executive order, unless reversed by the courts, will encourage greater corruption in Latin America, hurting the region’s economies, weakening democratic institutions and making countries poorer.
    Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • This goes for the show's host, Kevin O'Connor, and its core cast of experts — Tom Silva, Richard Trethewey and Jenn Nawada — and for members of production who are behind the scenes.
    Maddie McGay, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025
  • The Vatican said in a statement on Monday morning that for Francis, the night had gone well.
    Emma Bubola, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Golden State dared Houston to shoot jumpers, mixing in zones and sagging off their shooters to negate the young Rockets’ elite athletes.
    Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2025
  • When hotel staff noticed that fronds on the trees were starting to sag, an arborist was brought in to diagnose the problem.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The Oilers failed to shut down Michkov, though, who had his second career 3-point effort and could be rejuvenated for the stretch run.
    Kevin Kurz, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
  • Beginning of the conflict On Jan. 10, while the flames were still raging out of control, Crowley gave an extraordinary television interview, telling a Fox 11 reporter that the city of Los Angeles — and by implication her boss, Bass — failed her and her department.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • What to Know The study examined California's vertical land motion—both sinking (subsidence) and rising (uplift)—over the period from 2015 to 2023.
    Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025
  • After the Broncos missed their first seven 3-point attempts and trailed 23-13, Meadow finally sank a shot from beyond the arc to spark a 21-9 run.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 23 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Before October 7, 2023, when the Gaza Strip was still intact, polls showed that popular support for Hamas had been withering for some time.
    Scott Atran, Foreign Affairs, 14 Feb. 2025
  • The flowers are generally only open for a day or two before withering.
    Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Languish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/languish. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

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