adjective
withering
Withering (adjective) means Extremely harsh or scornful, intended to crush or humiliate. Example: “She gave a withering look that silenced the room.”
adjective
1
Extremely harsh or scornful, intended to crush or humiliate.
"She gave a withering look that silenced the room."
"The critic wrote a withering review of the film."
2
Rapidly declining or overwhelming in force.
"The team came under withering attack in the final minutes."
How to use withering
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDevastatingly critical or scornful, or overwhelmingly intense.
Common pairings
a withering look
a withering review
withering criticism
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like withering.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- witherings
- Comparative
- more withering
- Superlative
- most withering
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She gave a _____ look that silenced the room.
Etymology
From wither plus the ending -ing.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for withering
peering
tapering
lowering
covering
offering
entering
altering
cheering
steering
uttering
ordering
towering
See all rhymes for withering →
Frequently asked questions
What does “withering” mean?
The word “withering” means extremely harsh or scornful, intended to crush or humiliate. In plain terms, devastatingly critical or scornful, or overwhelmingly intense.
How do you use “withering” in a sentence?
Here is “withering” used in a sentence: “She gave a withering look that silenced the room.”
What part of speech is “withering”?
“Withering” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “withering” have?
“Withering” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: extremely harsh or scornful, intended to crush or humiliate.
