perish
17 synonyms and 1 antonym for perish, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To die, especially suddenly or violently.
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.
Antonyms
How to use perish
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
perish in the fire
perishable goods
perish the thought
Etymology
From Old French perir, from Latin perire ("to pass away"), from per- ("through") + ire ("to go").
Full origin of perish →Frequently asked questions
What does “perish” mean?
The word “perish” means to die, especially suddenly or violently. In plain terms, to die, or — for materials — to rot and become unusable.
How do you pronounce “perish”?
“Perish” is pronounced PEH-rihsh (/ˈpɛɹɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “perish” in a sentence?
Here is “perish” used in a sentence: “Hundreds perished when the ship sank.”
What part of speech is “perish”?
“Perish” is a verb.
Where does the word “perish” come from?
The word “perish” comes from Latin. From Old French perir, from Latin perire ("to pass away"), from per- ("through") + ire ("to go").
Is “perish” a common word?
“Perish” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “perish” have?
“Perish” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to die, especially suddenly or violently.
