languish
/ˈlæŋ.ɡwɪʃ/
Group 29Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (verb)
- To lose or lack vitality; to grow weak or feeble; to be kept in an unpleasant place or situation GRE
Example in Context
The proposal languished in committee for months, starved of the political support it needed to advance to a full vote.
Synonyms
sufferwiltfade
Etymology
To be weak or feeble, like a flower wilting for lack of water.
- languere (Latin) — to be weak
Memory Aid
🏜️Sounds like “land wish”
After wishing to land in a paradise but ending up in a desert, you LANGUISH away like a cactus in a drought!
Visual Association
🌵A wilted flower drooping in a barren desert, struggling for survival.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “languish” mean on the GRE?
languish (verb) means “To lose or lack vitality; to grow weak or feeble; to be kept in an unpleasant place or situation”. The proposal languished in committee for months, starved of the political support it needed to advance to a full vote.
How to remember “languish” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “languish” sounds like “land wish”. After wishing to land in a paradise but ending up in a desert, you LANGUISH away like a cactus in a drought!
What are synonyms for “languish”?
Common synonyms: suffer, wilt, fade.