languish
7 synonyms and 4 antonyms for languish, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To gradually lose strength, vitality, or spirit, especially over a long period of neglect or hardship.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
yearn
pine away
Antonyms
How to use languish
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
languish in prison
languish in obscurity
languish for years
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman languir, ultimately from Latin languere, "to be faint or weak."
Full origin of languish →Frequently asked questions
What does “languish” mean?
The word “languish” means to gradually lose strength, vitality, or spirit, especially over a long period of neglect or hardship. In plain terms, to slowly waste away or fail to make progress, usually because of neglect.
How do you pronounce “languish”?
“Languish” is pronounced LANG-gwihsh (/ˈlæŋ.ɡwɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “languish” in a sentence?
Here is “languish” used in a sentence: “The prisoner languished in his cell for years without trial.”
What part of speech is “languish”?
“Languish” is a verb.
Where does the word “languish” come from?
The word “languish” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman languir, ultimately from Latin languere, "to be faint or weak.".
