Showing results for "withering"

• present participle of wither.

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.

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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

See Examples For:

withering

A withering moment came early in the fourth quarter with the Chargers leading, 13-10, and in prime position on the heels of a strip sack of Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026

Norris was withering in his criticism of the track layout, saying: "I don't know how someone looks at this design and goes, 'Mint.'"

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

Germany, along with much of Europe, has seen record-breaking temperatures this summer along with limited rainfall, sending river levels down and withering swathes of countryside.

From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026

Tucker’s four-year contract, lucrative as it is, was not accompanied by a withering spotlight.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

Next he turned his withering gaze upon the forlorn foreman.

From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen

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