Languish
To lose health and strength; to become weak, feeble, or listless.
verbLanguish
To lose health and strength; to become weak, feeble, or listless.
verbImagine This
A mother's anguish over the death of her child made her lose her health and strength to focus on her work.
Sounds Like
LANG-gwish
Looks Like
Anguish (mental suffering)
Remember This
Languish is related to languor; both stem from Latin languere meaning 'to be faint, weary.'
Other Forms
Connect With
wane, weaken, wither, decay, deteriorate, fade
Note
Used to describe a decline in health, vitality, or progress (often due to illness, neglect, or hardship). Not used for active growth; its opposites include thrive or flourish.
Study Deeper
- Without water, the crops began to languish in the heat.
- The patient languished for years after the injury.
From Old French languir, from Latin languere 'to be faint, be weary'.
Lose All Nutrition, Grow Unwell, In Sickness, Halt.
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Abscond
verbTo depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.
Absolve
verbTo free someone from blame or responsibility; to pardon or exonerate.