languishing

American  

[lang-gwi-shing] / ˈlæŋ gwɪ ʃɪŋ /

adjective

1. becoming languid, in any way.

2. expressive of languor; indicating tender, sentimental melancholy.

   a languishing sigh.

3. lingering.

   a languishing death.

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Other Word Forms

• half-languishing
  adjective
• languishingly
  adverb
• unlanguishing
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of languishing

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at languish, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Languishing in 16th and on their joint-worst winless run of seven games following a 2-0 home defeat by West Ham, it begs the question just how much worse can things get for United?

From BBC • May 12, 2025

Languishing at 11th place in the conference, the Trojans recognize they fell well short of expectations that placed them second in the Pac-12 preseason media poll.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 22, 2024

Languishing 22 points behind City and now no longer even in the fourth and final Champions League place.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 6, 2022

Languishing in a dreary job at a London law office, 27-year-old Robert Martineau dreamed of an adventure to banish his boredom and malaise.

From Washington Post • Nov. 4, 2021

Languishing in jail, still wearing his wool suit, Apollinaire was charged with the theft of the Mona Lisa.

From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day