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Languish
To lose health and strength; to become weak, feeble, or listless.
verb💡
Imagine This
A mother's anguish over the death of her child made her lose her health and strength to focus on her work.
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Sounds Like
LANG-gwish
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Looks Like
Anguish (mental suffering)
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Remember This
Languish is related to languor; both stem from Latin languere meaning 'to be faint, weary.'
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Other Forms
languornoun
languorousadjective
languishmentnoun
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Connect With
wane, weaken, wither, decay, deteriorate, fade
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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.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- Without water, the crops began to languish in the heat.
- The patient languished for years after the injury.
Synonyms
weakendeterioratewitherwanedecay
Antonyms
thriveprosperflourish
Etymology
From Old French languir, from Latin languere 'to be faint, be weary'.
Mnemonic
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.
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