Showing results for "withering"

• present participle of wither.

withering

American  

[with-er-ing] / ˈwɪð ər ɪŋ /

adjective

1. scathing; deeply humiliating; contemptuous.

2. causing harm or loss of vitality; damaging.

3. (of plants) wilting or shriveling up, such as from disease or lack of moisture.

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Explanation

Withering is the process of becoming weaker. You can watch the withering of a flower bouquet in water — over the days and weeks, the blossoms become droopy and faded. You might talk about the withering of trees in a drought or the withering of people's bank accounts during an economic recession. Withering can also be used as an adjective, to describe something with a terrible, destructive strength, like a withering hurricane. It comes from the verb wither, to dry up or shrivel, from the Old English word wydderen, which is a variation on wederen, "to expose to the weather."

Example Sentences

"And the feeling that prospects for the future are shrinking like a withering skin."

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

It's a nuanced view that doesn't lend itself to easy explanations – and has opened up Massie to withering attacks from Trump-aligned Republicans, a criticism his allies seek to dispel.

From BBC • May 18, 2026

Instead, the trailers focus on Miranda’s withering put-downs and Andy’s former fashion-deficient way of dressing.

From Salon • Apr. 20, 2026

If the mercury is going to hit 100 degrees and wind is picking up — and in previous years that led to withering flowers — that will guide the prediction.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

She wasn’t just a motionless mound withering away under the blankets on her bed.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith