languished

VERB

droop; become dull, listless

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deteriorate dwindle fail faint rot suffer weaken wither

STRONG

brood decline desire despond ebb fade fag flag grieve hanker hunger long pine repine sicken sigh snivel sorrow tucker waste wilt yearn

WEAK

be disregarded be neglected conk out die on vine fag out fizzle out go soft go to pieces knock out waste away

Antonyms

STRONGEST

build develop grow

STRONG

be happy delight despise dislike hate improve increase rise strengthen

WEAK

flourish

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The women and their children -- all Australian citizens -- landed on Thursday evening after securing passage from Syrian refugee camps where they have languished since the Islamic State group's demise.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

But he said the company's stock price had "languished" due to issues unrelated to the performance of its music business, which could all be "addressed with this transaction".

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

Sometimes it gets old: A number of established dual-class companies have languished in the past decade under family control, including Tyson Foods, J.M.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

He adds that when fans have a choice, they will discover new genres and music cultures that may have otherwise languished in obscurity.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

Out of sight, Francis Gary Powers languished in a small cell measuring eight by fifteen feet, deep inside Lubyanka Prison in central Moscow.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau