Withering - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Withering means drying up, shrinking, or losing vitality, often due to lack of water, extreme heat, or neglect. It can also describe a harsh or scornful tone that weakens someone’s confidence.
Definition:
Becoming dry, shriveled, or weakened, often due to lack of water or vitality.
Synonyms:
Wilting, fading, shriveling, declining
Part of Speech:
Adjective, verb (present participle)
Antonyms:
Flourishing, thriving
Common Collocations:
Withering glance, withering heat, withering criticism
Derivatives:
Witheringly, withered
Usage Tips:
Use "withering" to describe harsh criticism or plants drying up; often implies a gradual decline.
Common Phrases:
Withering look, withering away, withering on the vine
Etymology:
From Old English "witherian," meaning to oppose or fade; related to weather's damaging effects.
Examples:
- 1. The flowers are withering in the scorching sun.
- 2. Her withering remark left him speechless.
- 3. The crops began withering during the drought.
- 4. He gave her a withering stare of disapproval.