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

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."

Rapidly declining or overwhelming in force.

"The team came under withering attack in the final minutes."

How to use withering

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDevastatingly critical or scornful, or overwhelmingly intense.

Common pairings

a withering look a withering review withering criticism

Word forms

more withering comparative, witherings plural, Witherings plural, most withering superlative

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She gave a _____ look that silenced the room.

Etymology

From wither plus the ending -ing.

Rhymes for withering

peering tapering lowering covering offering entering altering cheering steering uttering ordering towering

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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.