languishes

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.

Tortora, meanwhile, languishes in squalid jail cells and a country with only a casual regard for habeas corpus.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

Jenner is likely taking a significant financial hit on the property as it languishes on the market.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 17, 2026

Discovery has attracted interest from activist shareholders as the company’s stock languishes.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2025

Meanwhile, his former boss languishes under house arrest.

From BBC • Aug. 9, 2023

So fades and languishes, grows dim and dies, All that this world is proud of, and is not proud of, too.

From Harper's New Monthly Magazine Vol. IV, No. 19, Dec 1851 by Various