withered
Lost all moisture
Withered describes something that has dried up, shriveled, or lost vitality—typically plants or body parts: withered leaves, a withered arm.
The past tense of wither, it often functions as an adjective for things that have decayed through age, disease, or lack of nourishment.
Figuratively, it applies to anything that has lost its former strength or promise: withered hopes, a withered reputation.
Stripped of moisture
- shriveledContracted from moisture loss
- desiccatedThoroughly dehydrated
- wiltedLimp from dehydration
- parchedExtremely dry or thirsty
sere · blighted · brown · crispy · drooping · faded · yellowed · dead
Shrunken from age
- wrinkledHaving surface folds
- gnarledTwisted and knotty
- ancientVery old indeed
- weatheredEroded by exposure
time-worn · hoary · senescent · venerable · crone · decrepit · elderly · leathery
Declined from underuse
- shrunkenReduced from original dimensions
- wastedUsed without good result
- emaciatedAbnormally wasted from hunger
- skeletalOf or like bones
thin · bony · flaccid · enfeebled · frail · weakened · diminished · debilitated
dried
Stripped of moisture
- shriveledContracted from moisture loss
- desiccatedThoroughly dehydrated
- wiltedLimp from dehydration
parched · sere · blighted · brown · crispy · drooping · faded · yellowed · dead · limp
wizened
Shrunken from age
weathered · time-worn · hoary · senescent · venerable · crone · decrepit · elderly · leathery · lined
atrophied
Declined from underuse
- shrunkenReduced from original dimensions
- wastedUsed without good result
- emaciatedAbnormally wasted from hunger
skeletal · thin · bony · flaccid · enfeebled · frail · weakened · diminished · debilitated · infirm
desolate
Bleak and abandoned
bleak · stark · inhospitable · scorched · parched · wasteland · dusty · dry · depleted · unfruitful
diminished
Made or became smaller
broken · defeated · dispirited · hollowed · empty · drained · spent · exhausted · lost · dampened
- weakweak, feeble, frail, fragile, faint
- damageddamaged, broken, wrecked, ruined, destroyed
- aging signswrinkles, fine lines, wrinkled skin, gray hair, frown lines
- growth stagesmature, immature, developing, adult, juvenile
- skinnythin, slim, slender, lean, skinny
- floral adjectivesfragrant, blooming, floral, flowery, petaled
- withered on the vinePerished from inattention
- withering awayGradual decline toward nothing
- wither awayGradually decline and vanish
- wither on the vineFail through neglect
- withering lookDisapproving stare conveying contempt
- withered awayDeclined until gone