withering
Drying up gradually
Withering describes something that shrivels, weakens, or declines—like plants drying up from lack of water.
A withering glance or withering criticism is devastatingly scornful, causing the recipient to shrink as if scorched: She fixed him with a withering stare.
Withering fire in military contexts is intense enough to destroy enemy forces.
Losing turgor and drooping
- droopingHanging or bending downward
- saggingBending downward weakly
- shrivelingContracting from moisture loss
- dyingCeasing to live
blighted · stunted · yellowing · browning · leaf drop · dormancy · frost damage · heat stress
Severely and bitingly critical
- devastatingCausing severe damage
- bitingHarshly critical or cold
- cuttingDividing via sharp edge
- causticChemically burning; bitterly mocking
acerbic · trenchant · incisive · severe · harsh · unsparing · piercing · stinging
Gradual loss of intensity
- waningGradually decreasing in intensity
- decliningDecreasing in strength
- dwindlingProgressively becoming smaller
- ebbingGradually declining or receding
weakening · flagging · failing · deteriorating · shrinking · lessening · subsiding · receding
Excessive fluid loss
- dryingMoisture removal process
- parchedExtremely dry or thirsty
- shriveledContracted from moisture loss
- drynessAbsence of moisture
drought · arid · sere · moisture loss · evaporation · scorched · sun-dried · crisp
Breakdown into simpler parts
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- degradationDecline in condition
- blightPlant disease causing decay
spoilage · disintegration · putrefaction · corrosion · mold · mildew · senescence · atrophy
wilting
Losing turgor and drooping
- droopingHanging or bending downward
- saggingBending downward weakly
- shrivelingContracting from moisture loss
dying · blighted · stunted · yellowing · browning · leaf drop · dormancy · frost damage · heat stress · nutrient deficiency
scathing
Severely and bitingly critical
- devastatingCausing severe damage
- bitingHarshly critical or cold
- cuttingDividing via sharp edge
caustic · acerbic · trenchant · incisive · severe · harsh · unsparing · piercing · stinging · sardonic
fading
Gradual loss of intensity
- waningGradually decreasing in intensity
- decliningDecreasing in strength
- dwindlingProgressively becoming smaller
ebbing · weakening · flagging · failing · deteriorating · shrinking · lessening · subsiding · receding · tapering
dehydration
Excessive fluid loss
dryness · drought · arid · sere · moisture loss · evaporation · scorched · sun-dried · crisp · brittle
decomposition
Breakdown into simpler parts
- rotOrganic breakdown process
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- degradationDecline in condition
blight · spoilage · disintegration · putrefaction · corrosion · mold · mildew · senescence · atrophy · necrosis
- gardening termsgrowing, blooming, wilting, pruning, grafting
- plant stressheat stress, wilting, leaf scorch, chlorosis, leaf burn
- deterioratingdecaying, decomposing, degrading, rotting, eroding
- Deteriorationdecay, rot, degradation, deterioration, corrosion
- gradual declinefading, waning, dwindling, diminishing, ebbing
- growth stagesmature, immature, developing, adult, juvenile
witheringadmiring
Feeling respect and approval
encouraging · supportive · complimentary · flattering · praising
witheringflourishing
Prospering vigorously
blooming · blossoming · thriving · growing · budding
- withering awayGradual decline toward nothing
- withering lookDisapproving stare conveying contempt
- withering on the vineDying from neglect