Languish

/ˈlæŋ.ɡwɪʃ/ · verb

Meaning

(intransitive) To lose strength and become weak; to be in a state of weakness or sickness..

Definitions by Sense

1. (intransitive) To lose strength and become weak; to be in a state of weakness or sickness.
2. (intransitive) To pine away in longing for something; to have low spirits, especially from lovesickness.
3. (intransitive) To live in miserable or disheartening conditions.
4. (intransitive) To be neglected; to make little progress, be unsuccessful.
5. (transitive, obsolete) To make weak; to weaken, devastate.
6. (intransitive, now rare) To affect a languid air, especially disingenuously.

Example Sentences

We […] do languish of such diseases.

He languished without his girlfriend.

He languished in prison for years.

An elderly Hungarian found languishing in a Russian mental hospital could finally be allowed to return home - 55 years after being taken prisoner by the Russian Army.

The case languished for years before coming to trial.

He is an excellent young man, and will suit Harriet exactly: it will be an "exactly so," as he says himself; but he does sigh and languish, and study for compliments rather more than I could endure as a principal.

His bowstring slackened, languid Love, / Leaning his cheek upon his hand, / Droops both his wings, regarding thee, / And so would languish evermore, / Serene, imperial Eleänore.

Synonyms for languish

Antonyms for languish

Related Words

Word Forms

• languishes
• languishing
• languished

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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