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; languish, -ing ²

Example Sentences

The 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara went from languishing on UCLA’s bench to leading the nation’s most dominant defense.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

But it’s “the physical action of showing up,” the effort McCarthy makes to rekindle languishing friendships that goes a long way in proving just how much these friendships mean.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

Getting over the finish line, however, has been complicated, with EU states unable to agree and the idea languishing for years.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

“Scrubs” recognizes that most of a doctor’s hero moments can be tedious, as J.D. observes while languishing on hold with an insurance company.

From Salon • Feb. 26, 2026

If he had expected to find her languishing, re-proachful, or indulging in sentimental tears, he must have been greatly surprised.

From "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin