wasting
8 synonyms and 1 antonym for wasting, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Causing the body to lose muscle or fat, becoming progressively weaker.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Causing the body to lose muscle or fat, becoming progressively weaker.
“The doctor explained that the wasting disease weakened his muscles over many months.”
2. noun
The gradual loss of strength, weight, or substance over time.
“The vet noticed the wasting of the old dog's back legs.”
Opposites
How to use wasting
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a wasting disease
muscle wasting
Frequently asked questions
What does “wasting” mean?
The word “wasting” means causing the body to lose muscle or fat, becoming progressively weaker. In plain terms, gradually losing bulk, strength, or body mass, especially through illness.
How do you pronounce “wasting”?
“Wasting” is pronounced WAYS-tihng (/ˈweɪstɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “wasting” in a sentence?
Here is “wasting” used in a sentence: “The illness led to a severe wasting of muscle tissue.”
What part of speech is “wasting”?
Depending on how it is used, “wasting” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “wasting” a common word?
“Wasting” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “wasting” have?
“Wasting” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: causing the body to lose muscle or fat, becoming progressively weaker.
What is the difference between 'wasting' and 'wasting away'?
As an adjective or noun, 'wasting' describes the gradual loss of muscle, weight, or strength. 'Wasting away' is the phrasal form meaning to become progressively thinner and weaker over time. They describe the same decline, one as a description and one as an ongoing action.
What is a 'wasting disease'?
A 'wasting disease' is an illness that causes the body to lose muscle or fat and grow progressively weaker. The adjective 'wasting' points to this steady physical decline rather than a sudden loss.
What is the difference between 'wasting' and 'atrophy'?
'Wasting' is a general term for the gradual loss of strength, weight, or bodily substance. 'Atrophy' is the more technical, often medical, word for the shrinking or wasting of a specific tissue, muscle, or organ. Atrophy is one particular mechanism of wasting.
