languishing

[ lang-gwi-shing ]

/ ˈlæŋ gwɪ ʃɪŋ /

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See synonyms for languishing on Thesaurus.com

adjective

becoming languid, in any way.

expressive of languor; indicating tender, sentimental melancholy: a languishing sigh.

lingering: a languishing death.

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Origin of languishing

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at languish, -ing²

OTHER WORDS FROM languishing

lan·guish·ing·ly, adverbhalf-lan·guish·ing, adjectiveun·lan·guish·ing, adjective

Words nearby languishing

languet, languette, languid, languidly, languish, languishing, languishment, languor, languorous, langur, lani-

How to use languishing in a sentence

As it turns out, tech leaders are learning to evolve during this languishing outbreak.
3 CEOs on how technology has transformed leadership in the COVID era|Sy Mukherjee|December 2, 2020|Fortune
To this day, Tavakoli is languishing in prison for nothing more than demanding basic human rights.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015|Movements.Org|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It simultaneously reveals the absurdity of dictatorship and gives comfort to those languishing under an impossible reality.
The Sony Hack and America’s Craven Capitulation To Terror|David Keyes|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Languishing in a prison cell in southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz, 21-year-old Razie Ebrahimi awaits her date with the gallows.
Iran to Hang Abused Child Bride|Nina Strochlic|June 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Goodlatte chairs the House Judiciary Committee, where JASTA now sits languishing.
Exclusive: Chiquita Is Blocking a 9/11 Victims’ Bill|Tim Mak|June 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Dissidents languishing in prison must know that they are not forgotten.
Why China Hates This New D.C. Street Name|David Keyes|June 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If he had expected to find her languishing, reproachful, or indulging in sentimental tears, he must have been greatly surprised.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
His cheeks were the color of crushed grapes, and his dusky eyes glowed with a languishing fire.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
At that moment I saw him suffering because of me; I saw his eyes languishing, his lips pale and parched with fever.
Chicot the Jester|Alexandre Dumas, Pere
These institutions were languishing for support, and in a great degree destitute of the public sympathy.
Thoughts on Educational Topics and Institutions|George S. Boutwell
I wrote to you, mentioning him lightly; I did not dare confide in you, and I was languishing for some word of him.
The Rake's Progress|Marjorie Bowen