languishing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "languishing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of suffering from being forced to remain in an unpleasant situation or a lack of progress or vitality. Example: "After months of inactivity, the project was languishing, and the team needed to find new motivation to move forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Money

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The film opens with Macleane (Jonny Lee Miller) languishing in a debtor's jail in Knightsbridge.

The Guardian - Film

The government undertaking raises the prospect of the asylum seekers languishing on board an Australian vessel on the high seas for an unknown period of time or potentially being directly transferred to one of Australia's offshore detention centres in Papua New Guinea or the tiny island state of Nauru.

The Guardian

Related: Holland 3-4 USas– as it happened If at times their attacking play was almost irresistible, even without the injured Arjen Robben, at the other end of the field the Netherlands looked every inch a nation that is languishing in third place in their Euro 2016 qualifying group, five points adrift of second-placed Iceland.

The Guardian - Sport

The frescoes themselves had been rediscovered languishing under whitewash not long before and had, until the unearthing of the letter, been attributed to fellow Ferrarese Cosimo Tura.

The Guardian - Books

With the Liberal Democrats still languishing on eight percent, the Standard says the survey, combined with Ashcroft poll findings and other local data, indicates that Labour is on course to win eight or ten of its dozen target seats, at least six of them from the Conservatives and at least two from the Lib Dems.

The Guardian

Yet, it could be argued that without his involvement, the other two Flames might not have managed to be where they are on that list, and, more generally, the team might be languishing.

The Guardian - Sport

But today savers could be better off dumping their cash Isas and putting their money into taxpaying accounts instead, as banks and building societies have left Isa interest rates languishing.

The Guardian - Money

Ed Miliband is licking his wounds in Ibiza but his much maligned "Ed Stone" has suffered a less glamorous exit from the spotlight and is languishing in a south London garage, the Guardian has learned.

The Guardian

Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats, meanwhile, are languishing on just 8%, while Nigel Farage's Ukip continues its surge, standing at 15% – almost double the tally for the Lib Dems.

The Guardian

Because there was a bizarre impression that I'd somehow been handed a million-dollar check and was going to spend my year languishing in a swimming pool filled with hundred dollar bills.

The Guardian - Opinion

The council has been negotiating with Manchester City football club to move there from its Maine Road ground in 2003.But Manchester City is currently languishing in the second division.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "languishing" to describe a state of prolonged inactivity, decline, or neglect, especially when something or someone is expected to be thriving or progressing.

Common error

Avoid using "languishing" to describe a sudden or abrupt decline. It's more appropriate for situations involving a gradual process of weakening or decay. For example, instead of saying "The stock market was languishing after the crash", consider using "plummeted" or "crashed".

Linguistic Context

The term "languishing" primarily functions as a present participle, often used adjectivally or within continuous verb forms. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a state of being where something is failing to thrive or make progress. It’s used to depict a prolonged decline or stagnation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

8%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "languishing" is a versatile term used to describe a state of prolonged inactivity, decline, or neglect. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions primarily as a present participle, often acting adjectivally. It is used across a range of contexts, from formal business and news media to more informal settings, with a neutral register. When writing, remember that "languishing" is best suited for describing gradual declines rather than sudden events. It shares semantic similarities with words like "weakening", "declining", and "stagnating", but carries its unique connotation of passivity. Ludwig's examples highlight its prominence in describing things failing to thrive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weakening

Focuses more on the loss of strength or power.

declining

Implies a gradual deterioration or decrease.

deteriorating

Highlights the process of becoming progressively worse.

stagnating

Emphasizes a lack of progress or development.

fading

Suggests a gradual disappearance or loss of visibility.

suffering

Directly indicates a state of pain or distress.

withering

Conveys a sense of drying up or decaying.

vegetating

Implies a passive and uneventful existence.

moldering

It means slowly decaying or disintegrating, especially because of neglect.

rotting

Suggests a more advanced state of decomposition or decay.

FAQs

How can I use "languishing" in a sentence?

You can use "languishing" to describe something that is failing to make progress or be successful. For example: "The project was "languishing" due to lack of funding."

What's a good alternative to "languishing"?

Alternatives to "languishing" include "weakening", "declining", or "stagnating", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "languishing" over "declining"?

"Languishing" suggests a more passive and prolonged state of decline, often due to neglect or unfavorable conditions. "Declining" is a more general term for something decreasing or deteriorating. If something is gradually fading due to specific external circumstances, "languishing" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "languishing" and "suffering"?

"Languishing" describes a state of inactivity, stagnation, or decline, while "suffering" refers to experiencing pain, distress, or hardship. Something can be "languishing" without necessarily suffering, and vice versa.