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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Example Sentences

How are you going to fly two withering, highly contagious people from Africa to America without killing them or infecting others on the plane?

From The Wall Street Journal

Attorney for the District of Columbia, and federal Judge James Boasberg did so in withering fashion.

From The Wall Street Journal

Government forces would either have to expose themselves to withering attacks in an attempt to reclaim the territory or allow an ever-increasing area to come under dissident control and armed infiltration across the country.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Undertone” is packed with plenty of similarly ridiculous plot points that deflate if you even so much as toss a withering glance their way.

From Salon

Sir Geoffrey said: "Both government and the BBC should seriously think about how the World Service's influence can be bolstered around the world, rather than risk its reach withering by degrees year on year."

From BBC