withering

1 of 2

adjective

with·​er·​ing
ˈwit͟h-riŋ, 
ˈwi-t͟hə- How to pronounce withering (audio)
Synonyms of witheringnext
: acting or serving to cut down or destroy : devastating
a withering fire from the enemy
a withering rebuke
witheringly
ˈwit͟h-riŋ-lē, 
ˈwi-t͟hə- How to pronounce withering (audio)
adverb

withering

2 of 2

present participle of wither entry 1

Examples of withering in a Sentence

Adjective The book has been the subject of withering criticism. She gave me a withering look.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
His assessment of SpaceX’s core compute business was equally withering. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 June 2026 In recent years, the agency has faced withering criticism locally for mismanagement and lack of oversight of its programs and funds. — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026 Depending on your perspective, Tesla appears to be either in a holding pattern or slight decline, with slowing sales growth and withering fundamentals. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 19 May 2026 The following day, in a particularly withering exchange, Savitt went down the list of Musk’s other enterprises. — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for withering

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1579, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of withering was in 1579

Rhymes for withering

See All Rhymes for withering

Browse Nearby Words

witherer
withering
witherite
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Withering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/withering. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on withering

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for withering

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about withering

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All