has withered away

USAGE SUMMARY

"has withered away" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used in a poetic or descriptive context to describe something that has gradually become weaker or less impressive. Example: As the years passed, the once majestic oak tree has withered away, its leaves fading and its branches bare.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

That list has withered away.

The New York Times

Voters' faith in government has withered away.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now, in his latest project, the laughter has withered away.

The New Yorker

The party has withered away and died in large expanses of the north.

The Guardian - Opinion

Street politics have lost their relevance in many former Soviet countries, as the political opposition has withered away.

The New York Times

ALTHOUGH much of its farming has withered away, Long Island continues to be a source of food.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

National civic groups and mainline church denominations have withered away, replaced by smaller, more narrowly focused independent groups.

The New York Times - Books

Orwell examined the ways in which literature had withered away in Germany, Italy, and Russia whenever autocracy was on the rise.

The New Yorker

MoveOn tended to be strongest, Mr. Bai notes, in states where the Democratic Party had withered away, leaving a vacuum.

The New York Times - Books

And as the conflict intensifies, the voices of opposition to Israeli policy among American Jews have withered away.

The New York Times

There had been sentiment for New York hosting a Super Bowl at Giants Stadium shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but that support had withered away.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has withered away" to evoke a sense of loss or decline, particularly when describing something that was once strong or vibrant. This phrase is more impactful when the subject has a history of strength or significance.

Common error

Avoid using "has withered away" in highly technical or scientific writing where a more precise term might be appropriate. Opt for alternatives like "decreased" or "degraded" to maintain a formal and objective tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has withered away" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense. According to Ludwig AI, it is typically used in a poetic or descriptive context. This implies that the subject has undergone a process of decline or weakening that has resulted in its current state.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has withered away" is a versatile expression used to describe a decline or disappearance over time. Ludwig AI correctly identifies it as typically used in a poetic or descriptive context. Analysis of example sentences reveals its prevalence in news and media, often used to depict the decline of political movements, relationships, or physical states. While grammatically correct, consider the register and opt for more precise language in technical or scientific contexts. Semantically similar alternatives include "has faded away" and "has diminished". Remember to use "has withered away" to evoke a sense of loss or decline, particularly when describing something that was once strong or vibrant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has faded away

Focuses on the loss of vibrancy or intensity, similar to something losing its color or brightness.

has diminished

Emphasizes a reduction in size, importance, or quality.

has declined

Highlights a downward trend or decrease in condition or quantity.

has deteriorated

Stresses a worsening condition or decay over time.

has dissipated

Suggests a gradual disappearance or dispersal, often used for intangible things like hope or energy.

has disintegrated

Implies a breakdown into smaller parts or a loss of cohesion.

has vanished

Indicates a sudden and complete disappearance.

has crumbled

Suggests a collapse or breakdown, often used for structures or systems.

has atrophied

Emphasizes a wasting away due to lack of use or nourishment.

has petered out

Implies a gradual decline to nothing, often used for resources or efforts.

FAQs

How can I use "has withered away" in a sentence?

You can use "has withered away" to describe something that has declined or disappeared over time. For example, "The support for the policy "has withered away" due to public disapproval."

What can I say instead of "has withered away"?

You can use alternatives like "has faded away", "has diminished", or "has declined" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "has withered away" or "had withered away"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "has withered away" is present perfect, indicating a process that started in the past and continues to the present or has relevance to the present. "Had withered away" is past perfect, indicating an action completed before another point in the past.

What's the difference between "has withered away" and "has died out"?

"Has withered away" suggests a gradual decline in strength or importance, while "has died out" implies a complete extinction or disappearance. The former is gradual, while the latter is definitive.