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.

---

Explanation

Withering is the process of becoming weaker. You can watch the withering of a flower bouquet in water — over the days and weeks, the blossoms become droopy and faded. You might talk about the withering of trees in a drought or the withering of people's bank accounts during an economic recession. Withering can also be used as an adjective, to describe something with a terrible, destructive strength, like a withering hurricane. It comes from the verb wither, to dry up or shrivel, from the Old English word wydderen, which is a variation on wederen, "to expose to the weather."

Example Sentences

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 • Mar. 15, 2026

“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 • Mar. 15, 2026

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 • Mar. 12, 2026

The run-up has seen none of the feverish public rallies that Suu Kyi once commanded, and the junta has waged a withering pre-vote offensive to claw back territory.

From Barron's • Dec. 27, 2025

Like every nerve in my body was withering in, pulling away from my fingers and toes.

From "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher