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- pronunciation:
- wI
th
 r
- 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.
- synonyms:
- shrivel, wilt
- antonyms:
- bloom, flourish, thrive
- similar words:
- dehydrate, desiccate, dry, parch
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| 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
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| related words: |
blight, languish, rot, stifle, waste, wilt |
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| related words: |
evaporate |
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Wither comes from an early English word that means "to expose to the weather."
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