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languish

verb
lan·​guish | \ ˈlaŋ-gwish How to pronounce languish (audio) \
languished; languishing; languishes

Definition of languish

intransitive verb

1a : to be or become feeble, weak, or enervated Plants languish in the drought.
b : to be or live in a state of depression or decreasing vitality languished in prison for ten years
2a : to become dispirited
b : to suffer neglect the bill languished in the Senate for eight months
3 : to assume an expression of grief or emotion appealing for sympathy languished at him through screwed-up eyes— Edith Wharton
Other Words from languish Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about languish

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Other Words from languish

languisher noun
languishingly \ ˈlaŋ-​gwi-​shiŋ-​lē How to pronounce languishingly (audio) \ adverb
languishment \ ˈlaŋ-​gwish-​mənt How to pronounce languishment (audio) \ noun

Examples of languish in a Sentence

older people, especially, were languishing during the prolonged heat wave

Recent Examples on the Web

 Less high profile cases also can languish in bureaucracy, Hopkins students say. — Liz Bowie, baltimoresun.com, "Here’s what happened when Maryland students forced colleges to confront sexual assault," 27 Aug. 2019 That could leave many languishing in a legal no-man’s land without many rights. — New York Times, "India Plans Big Detention Camps for Migrants. Muslims Are Afraid.," 14 Aug. 2019 With several candidates languishing, there is an obvious attraction to targeting Biden again. — NBC News, "Who is on the attack on Night 2 of the second Democratic debate? Live updates," 1 Aug. 2019 But what about the long lines people languished in at customs? — Natalie B. Compton, chicagotribune.com, "Pssst. Mobile Passport is the best-kept secret in air travel.," 19 July 2019 But records obtained by The Associated Press showed that Health and Human Services had at least 500 beds available as the children languished last week in the Clint facility. — Cedar Attanasio And Amy Taxin, Houston Chronicle, "Doctors, lawyers portray dire conditions for child migrants," 27 June 2019 Economic growth advanced solidly in the 1960s and 1980s after Democrats and Republicans lowered individual and corporate rates, but growth languished in the 2000s after two rounds of tax cuts. — Nick Timiraos, WSJ, "WSJ Tax Guide 2019: The Tax Cut’s Economic Impact," 15 Feb. 2019 This attention to detail, keeping the French Quarter trapped in a calcified past, requires money and wherewithal, of course, that other parts of the city, languishing and decaying, do not have. — Sarah M. Broom, The New Yorker, "Who Stays Gone, and Who Can Afford to Return," 12 Aug. 2019 The thought of this Astros lineup languishing or struggling seemed silly. — Chandler Rome, Houston Chronicle, "Astros edge Orioles for 7th straight win," 9 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'languish.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of languish

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for languish

Middle English, from Anglo-French languiss-, stem of languir, from Vulgar Latin *languire, from Latin languēre

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More Definitions for languish

languish

verb
How to pronounce languish (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of languish

formal + literary : to continue for a long time without activity or progress in an unpleasant or unwanted situation

See the full definition for languish in the English Language Learners Dictionary

languish

verb
lan·​guish | \ ˈlaŋ-gwish How to pronounce languish (audio) \
languished; languishing

Kids Definition of languish

1 : to be or become weak, dull, or listless “I don't feel good at all. I think I'm languishing …”— E. B. White, Charlotte's Web
2 : to continue for a long time without activity or progress in an unpleasant or unwanted situation The innocent man languished in prison.

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More from Merriam-Webster on languish

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with languish

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for languish

Spanish Central: Translation of languish

Nglish: Translation of languish for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of languish for Arabic Speakers

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