Standard Lemma guide

withering

adj · name · noun · verb · 9 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • CMU ARPABET: W IH1 DH ER0 IH0 NG Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Tending to destroy, devastate, overwhelm, or cause complete destruction.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The D-Day troops came under withering fire.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Diminishing rapidly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The playboy seemed oblivious to his withering fortune as he continued in his decadent lifestyle.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adj

Meaning 3

Tending to make someone feel small; scornful in a mortifying way.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Jane's mother in law gave her a withering look.
  • He made withering remarks about his adversary.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

name

Meaning 4

A surname.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

The process by which something withers.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

present participle and gerund of wither

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, gerund, participle, present

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

adjective satellite

Meaning 7

wreaking or capable of wreaking complete destruction

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • possessing annihilative power
  • a devastating hurricane
  • the guns opened a withering fire

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: annihilative, annihilating, devastating

Antonyms: none provided

8

adjective satellite

Meaning 8

making light of- W.S.Gilbert

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • afire with annihilating invective
  • a devastating portrait of human folly
  • to compliments inflated I've a withering reply

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: annihilating, devastating

Antonyms: none provided

9

noun

Meaning 9

any weakening or degeneration (especially through lack of use)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: atrophy

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: weakening

History

Etymology

From wither + -ing.

Across languages

Translations

16 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: vernietigend — tending to destroy, devastate, overwhelm or cause complete destruction
  • Dutch: overweldigend — tending to destroy, devastate, overwhelm or cause complete destruction
  • Finnish: musertava — tending to destroy, devastate, overwhelm or cause complete destruction
  • Finnish: murskaava — tending to destroy, devastate, overwhelm or cause complete destruction
  • German: vernichtend — tending to destroy, devastate, overwhelm or cause complete destruction
  • German: zerstörerisch — tending to destroy, devastate, overwhelm or cause complete destruction
  • German: alleszerstörend — tending to destroy, devastate, overwhelm or cause complete destruction
  • Dutch: verleppen — diminishing rapidly
  • Dutch: verbleken — diminishing rapidly
  • Finnish: kuihtuva — diminishing rapidly
  • German: schwindend — diminishing rapidly
  • German: dahinschwindend — diminishing rapidly
  • Dutch: iemand het zwijgen opleggen — tending to make someone feel small
  • Finnish: vähättelevä — tending to make someone feel small
  • German: verächtlich — tending to make someone feel small
  • German: vernichtend — tending to make someone feel small