Sagging: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this word when something is hanging down due to loss of firmness or strength. Usually implies a slow process.

• The old mattress was sagging in the middle.
• Her shoulders were sagging with exhaustion.

This word is suitable when something is hanging down, often due to tiredness, weakness, or lack of support. Often used to describe plants or parts of the body.

• The flowers were drooping in the heat.
• His eyelids were drooping after a long day.

Use this word when something is suspended in the air or from a particular point, often freely.

• The painting was hanging on the wall.
• She was hanging the laundry out to dry.

This word is best used when something is going down into a lower position, often into a liquid or softer material.

• The boat was slowly sinking into the water.
• His feet were sinking into the wet sand.

Same as the first entry for 'sagging'. Sometimes used interchangeably with 'droop' but usually refers more to physical structures or features.

• The ceiling is sagging due to water damage.
• His pants were sagging down below his waist.

Often used to describe something hanging downwards in a limp or weak manner. This can include plants, body parts, or emotional states.

• The flowers in the vase started to droop after a few days.
• He walked in with his shoulders drooping in exhaustion.

Typically used to describe a decrease or downturn, often in performance, mood, or physical posture. It carries a stronger negative connotation.

• The company's profits have slumped this quarter.
• She slumped into the chair, completely exhausted.

Applied when something is curving or changing direction. It can describe physical objects or abstract concepts like bending rules.

• The road bends sharply to the left.
• You need to bend the wire to shape the sculpture.