Wither: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is often used to denote the process where plants or flowers dry out and die due to lack of water or nutrients. It can also suggest a gradual decline or decay in non-plant contexts and sometimes has a negative connotation.

• The flowers began to wither without sunlight.
• His enthusiasm for the project started to wither over time.

Wilt is mostly used for plants when they lose their rigidity and droop due to insufficient water. It carries a slightly less permanent connotation than wither, implying that the plant might still be revived.

• The sun was so hot that the flowers began to wilt by noon.
• Seeing her child's illness made her spirit wilt.

Fade is used when color, light, sound, or even feelings gradually become less intense and eventually disappear. It is not limited to plants, making it suitable for a wide variety of scenarios.

• The bright paint on the walls began to fade after years of sun exposure.
• Her smile faded quickly after hearing the bad news.

Shrivel is typically used to describe something that becomes smaller, wrinkled, or dried up, usually due to lack of moisture. It often has a negative connotation and can be applied to both plants and objects.

• The leaves have shriveled up due to the drought.
• His confidence seemed to shrivel in the face of criticism.

This word is usually used to describe plants losing vitality and dying. It can also be used metaphorically to describe people or things that are losing energy or vitality.

• The flowers withered without enough sunlight.
• His enthusiasm for the project began to wither after the initial excitement faded.

This word is often used to describe conditions or situations that are gradually coming to an end, losing value, or becoming weaker. It has a broader usage compared to 'wither'.

• The company's profits have been in decline for several years.
• He politely declined the invitation.

This word is used primarily to describe the process of something becoming progressively worse, often in terms of health, condition, or quality.

• Her health deteriorated rapidly after the illness set in.
• The abandoned building continued to deteriorate over time.

This word is used to describe the reduction in strength, power, or ability, whether physically, emotionally, or otherwise.

• After the surgery, he felt weak and needed time to recover.
• Constant stress can weaken your immune system.

Repetition—already covered above.

To refer to the process of organic matter breaking down over time, often resulting in rot or decomposition. It can also be used to describe gradual social or moral decline.

• The old house showed signs of decay.
• There was a sense of societal decay in the absence of moral values.

To describe the process of becoming progressively worse. This word is typically used in more formal or medical contexts and implies a more serious or severe degradation.

• The patient's condition showed signs of rapid deterioration.
• There has been a noticeable deterioration in the quality of the service.

To talk about a gradual reduction in quality, quantity, or importance. It is also used in more formal or statistical contexts, often when discussing economics, health, or social trends.

• The empire began to decline after years of political instability.
• Her health saw a gradual decline as she aged.