languishing

[lang-gwi-shing]

adjective

1. becoming languid, in any way.

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

   a languishing sigh.

3. lingering.

   a languishing death.

Other Word Forms

• languishingly adverb
• half-languishing adjective
• unlanguishing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of languishing¹

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

Example Sentences

West Ham are struggling in the Premier League, languishing in 19th place as head coach Graham Potter faces mounting criticism and internal club scrutiny.

From BBC

Her speech gave a number of headline policy pledges, and said that Wales had suffered "26 years of languishing on the bottom of every league table".

From BBC

A 12-team top flight gives more counties the opportunity to win the Championship, while a six-team second tier gives more chance for promotion to those counties that often find themselves languishing.

From BBC

In response to the new video, the head of the Palestinian Prisoners' Club, Abdullah al-Zaghari accused Israel of seeking "to eliminate him and assassinate the leaders languishing in its prisons."

From BBC

A decade ago, the languishing St. Louis Rams were ranked dead last in the NFL with a franchise valuation of $930 million.

From Los Angeles Times