WITHERS Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

withers

verb

Definition of withers

present tense third-person singular of wither

as in dries

to lose liveliness, force, or freshness shortly after the moon landing, interest in the space program withered the old man seemed to wither suddenly upon turning 80

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fades

to lose bodily strength or vigor if he's left on his own, he'll just wither and die

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for withers

Verb

This powerful, compact tool dries hair fast without heat damage.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026
As clay soil dries again, the remaining moisture becomes difficult for plants to access.

— Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of dries

Verb

As new variants emerge and immunity from prior exposure fades, conditions become more favorable for infection.

— Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026
Copley agrees with this sentiment, noting that the scent of essential oils fades quicker if a room is too cold, drafty, or large.

— Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of fades

Verb

Siegel noted that measles weakens the immune system and increases the risk of pneumonia, which can stem from measles itself or from a secondary bacterial infection.

— Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Employment has been a mostly resilient area of the economy even as stubborn inflation continues to squeeze businesses and households, while consumer confidence weakens.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of weakens

Verb

Unfortunately, using too little paint will leave patchy areas and harsh lines, and using too much paint will promote drips and paint that sags.

— Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 6 July 2026
There is no scrapeable archive of how to grasp a wet cup, unload a box that sags in the middle, fold a towel, or help an older adult out of a chair.

— Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Definition of sags

Verb

Driving Experience The windscreen is brief to say the least, but airflow goes right over your head.

— William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The movie goes big on the ‘80s tropes for laughs, including over-the-top costumes and era-specific references, but the love story at its heart is timeless.

— Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of goes

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.

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withering

withers

withheld

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“Withers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withers. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of withers

verb

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