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wither

with·er

wither

 
 
pronunciation:
wI thr
parts of speech:
intransitive verb, transitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (verb), Word History
part of speech: intransitive verb
inflections: withers, withering, withered
definition 1: to dry up, shrivel, or wilt, as from decay or lack of moisture.
The leaves withered in the drought.
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synonyms:
shrivel, wilt
antonyms:
bloom, flourish, thrive
similar words:
dehydrate, desiccate, dry, parch
definition 2: to lose freshness, suppleness, vitality or the like; droop; fade (often fol. by away).
His limbs eventually withered from lack of use.When the other team scored again, their hopes of winning the championship withered.
synonyms:
fade, shrivel, wilt
antonyms:
endure
similar words:
decay, droop, dwindle, sag, shrink
 
part of speech: transitive verb
definition 1: to cause to dry up, droop, shrivel, fade, or the like.
The hot sun withered the plant sitting in the window.Her look of scorn withered his courage.
synonyms:
fade, parch, shrivel
similar words:
dehydrate, desiccate, dry, scorch, shrink, wilt
definition 2: to inflict heavy damage on; blight; decimate.
The allied bombing withered the enemy.
synonyms:
blight, decimate
similar words:
blast, damage, destroy, devastate, ruin, shrivel
definition 3: to stun or abash, as by scorn.
The bellowing child was withered by the teacher's angry stare.
synonyms:
abash, mortify
similar words:
blast, humiliate, shame, stun
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
Word History
Wither comes from an early English word that means "to expose to the weather."