as in failing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in drooping
to be limp from lack of water or vigor
the plants wilted after I forgot to water them for three whole days
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fading
to lose bodily strength or vigor
she had wilted a bit after walking around the hot and humid city
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in drying
to lose liveliness, force, or freshness
after six solid hours of painting, his energy was starting to wilt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wilting
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
30 June 2026
The first sign your peace lily is thirsty will be yellowing and wilting leaves.
—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
No wilting languor on this veranda — for that matter, no veranda either — just ferocity, desperation, and, of course, brutal desire.
—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
4 Dec. 2025
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
21 June 2026
Forgetting to water certain plants can cause wilting, dormancy, or even prevent blooms from returning.
—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
21 June 2026
Signs of heat stress include prematurely dropped fruit, wilting, drooping branches, and scorched leaves.
—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 June 2026
Woolley shared a photo of the two posing side-by-side at the event on Instagram with brown heart and wilting rose emojis as the caption.
—
Emma Kershaw,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
This rapid heating causes the cell walls to rupture, leading to wilting of the foliage and ultimately killing the plants without completely incinerating them.
—
Sj McShane,
Martha Stewart,
10 June 2026
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
Intended as a celebration of the progress embodied by the nation's first Black leader, its Juneteenth unveiling comes at a time when his agenda - and broader diversity initiatives - are wilting from a decade of concerted attack.
—
Cbs Chicago Team,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
All parts of the tree exude juglone, a toxin that causes stunted growth, wilting foliage, and death for tomato plants.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
17 June 2026
These will still need regular watering but might just make it through the day without wilting.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
Don't always assume a wilting plant is dehydrated.
—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
30 May 2026
Beating the spotlight-wilting Maple Leafs was one thing.
—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Many of the symptoms of overwatering — wilting, yellowing leaves, drooping stems — look almost identical to those of underwatering, which is why so many people respond by reaching for the watering can again.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Look for wilting flowers and any blooms forming seed pods at their base.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
30 June 2026
The first sign your peace lily is thirsty will be yellowing and wilting leaves.
—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2026
No wilting languor on this veranda — for that matter, no veranda either — just ferocity, desperation, and, of course, brutal desire.
—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
4 Dec. 2025
Noun
One common problem growers encounter is the wilting of plants and foliage.
—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
21 June 2026
Forgetting to water certain plants can cause wilting, dormancy, or even prevent blooms from returning.
—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
21 June 2026
Signs of heat stress include prematurely dropped fruit, wilting, drooping branches, and scorched leaves.
—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 June 2026
Woolley shared a photo of the two posing side-by-side at the event on Instagram with brown heart and wilting rose emojis as the caption.
—
Emma Kershaw,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
This rapid heating causes the cell walls to rupture, leading to wilting of the foliage and ultimately killing the plants without completely incinerating them.
—
Sj McShane,
Martha Stewart,
10 June 2026
Verb
While wearing the glasses, a wearer can ask questions about topics in one's surroundings, like asking for more information about a landmark on vacation, identifying care instructions for a wilting plant or discovering a full recipe for a dish at a favorite restaurant.
—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
Intended as a celebration of the progress embodied by the nation's first Black leader, its Juneteenth unveiling comes at a time when his agenda - and broader diversity initiatives - are wilting from a decade of concerted attack.
—
Cbs Chicago Team,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
All parts of the tree exude juglone, a toxin that causes stunted growth, wilting foliage, and death for tomato plants.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
17 June 2026
These will still need regular watering but might just make it through the day without wilting.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
Don't always assume a wilting plant is dehydrated.
—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
30 May 2026
Beating the spotlight-wilting Maple Leafs was one thing.
—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Many of the symptoms of overwatering — wilting, yellowing leaves, drooping stems — look almost identical to those of underwatering, which is why so many people respond by reaching for the watering can again.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wilting
Noun
-
The new documentary reveals some of the interpersonal and business conflicts that led to the disintegration of the classic EW&F line-up, boldly highlighting the various triumphs and failings of leader Maurice White who died in 2016 at age 74 from Parkinson’s disease.
-
These failings dated from 2012 to May 2025.
Verb
-
Look for wilting, drooping, discolored, or diseased leaves regularly to keep up the plant’s appearance.
-
North says to keep the soil moist and watch for drooping leaves, which indicate your tree needs a drink.
Verb
-
Their self-cleaning nature means blooms drop naturally after fading, eliminating tedious deadheading.
-
Halsey and her fans’ outrage over an old album review is showing no signs of fading.
Verb
-
Ensure the stain is fully gone before drying—once heat sets it in, removal becomes significantly harder.
-
Keep a handful near your washing machine or drying rack for blouses, dresses, workout wear, or delicate pieces that should skip the dryer.
Noun
-
Press freedoms across Africa are already fragile, with most nations ranking in the lower half of an influential press freedoms index, while numerous recent coups have contributed to a weakening of democratic norms in parts of the continent.
-
One of the most significant changes during Hill’s tenure was the weakening of structures designed to elevate teacher concerns to district leadership, Oreskovic said.
Verb
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Not long after, a banner made by Algerian fans was hanging behind one of the goals.
-
An olive tree with wraparound seating anchors the patio, while an interior bar with hanging plants offers TVs that screen live sports.
Verb
-
Peptide skin-care products have the unique ability to target a host of skin concerns, from sagging to an impaired skin barrier, in part because there are so many different types of peptides.
-
During my thirties, sagging skin wasn’t really an issue for me.
Verb
-
The truth was that all of it was, and is, simply withering away.
-
Among the other Paris attractions to close amid the withering heat are Notre-Dame de Paris, which closed its towers earlier this week, and the Palais de Tokyo, which has shuttered its exhibitions entirely from June 22 through June 27.
Cite this Entry
“Wilting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wilting. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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