wither

wither — verb

1. When a plant or flower withers, or hot weather or lack of water withers it, the

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

When a plant or flower withers, or hot weather or lack of water withers it, the plant becomes dry, shrinks, and dies.

例句

The roses in the garden withered after two weeks without rain.

intransitive: wither + after [period] without [resource]

The hot summer sun withered the young tomato plants before they could produce fruit.

transitive: sun/weather + withers + plant

同義詞
  • shrivel

    focuses on the physical shrinking and curling of leaves or petals; less final than wither

  • wilt

    means to droop from lack of water but the plant can still recover — less severe than wither

  • dry up

    informal phrasal verb; emphasizes the loss of moisture rather than death

反義詞
  • bloom

    to produce flowers and look healthy — the opposite of a plant dying

  • flourish

    to grow well and strongly

文法句型

wither

wither + noun phrase

用法筆記

Can be used transitively (The sun withered the plants) or intransitively (The plants withered). The transitive use often names a cause such as extreme heat, drought, or a lack of water. Unlike wilt, withering implies permanent damage — the plant has dried up completely and cannot recover.

常見錯誤

❌The flowers wilted and died after I forgot to water them.
✅The flowers withered and died after I forgot to water them.
💡wilting means drooping temporarily (plants can recover), while withering means drying up completely (the plant dies).

2. If an activity, feeling, opportunity, or connection withers, it slowly becomes w

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

If an activity, feeling, opportunity, or connection withers, it slowly becomes weaker and less important until it finally ends or disappears.

例句

Trade between the two countries withered after the new tariffs were introduced.

collocation: trade + withers + after [event]

The old traditions began to wither as younger people moved to the city.

同義詞
  • fade

    suggests losing brightness or intensity; can be faster and less final than wither

  • decline

    more neutral and formal; focuses on gradual reduction in quality or quantity

  • dwindle

    emphasizes shrinking in size or number; often used for resources or populations

反義詞
  • grow

    to increase in strength, size, or importance

  • thrive

    to be very successful and strong

文法句型

wither

wither away

用法筆記

Frequently used with the particle away (wither away) to emphasize the gradual loss of strength. Common in political, social, and economic contexts (withering support, withering trade, hopes wither). This sense is always intransitive — you cannot say 'The war withered the economy' in this sense.

常見錯誤

❌The company's profits withered overnight.
✅The company's profits withered over several quarters.
💡withering is a gradual process, not an instant change.
❌The scandal withered his reputation.' (transitive)
✅His reputation withered after the scandal.
💡this sense is intransitive; use 'damaged' or 'destroyed' for the transitive meaning.

wither — noun

wither — idiom