perish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing death, destruction, or the end of existence, often in a dramatic or literary sense. Example: "If we do not take action against climate change, many species may perish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tony Bunyan, director of Statewatch, which documents European justice and home affairs policies, added: "The government's justification for not participating in Triton is cynical and an abdication of responsibility by saying that not helping to rescue people fleeing from war, persecution and poverty who are likely to perish is an acceptable way to discourage immigration".

The Guardian

This blog, which I have every intention of publishing every two weeks (lest it perish), is my attempt to collate some of this oddity for your Friday procrastination and amusement.

The Guardian

Academics no longer live in ivory towers; short-term contracts, limited number of academic posts and funding opportunities, publish or perish attitude… and the list goes on, make it tough to progress.

The Guardian

The second lies in Abraham Lincoln's determination that "… government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth".

The Guardian - Opinion

A peer announces that we can no longer afford to chip in for the coastguard services that save the lives of refugees who would otherwise perish in the Mediterranean.

The Guardian

The government has been accused of breaking its word by cutting key clean energy and conservation programs in the budget, amid fears that renewable energy projects will be forced to go overseas for funding or perish.

The Guardian

"Sometimes they'll be just under the soil, mimicking someone who was buried in a shallow grave; or they might just be placed on the surface, because we do sometimes recover missing persons who might have been hiking and become lost and perish," she said.

The Guardian

And I NEVER reboil the water, perish the thought.

The Guardian

In my experience, the "publish or perish" attitude of the more "prestigious" universities creates an environment that is ranked solely by outputs, and their merits.

The Guardian

It states: "As a result of the Post's online article, readers around the world have now been led to believe that thousands of migrant workers in Qatar have perished, or will perish, building the facilities for World Cup 2022 – a claim that has absolutely no basis in fact".

The Guardian

Seven years in the squalor of that government settlement saw an estimated third of the Guugu Yimithirr perish, McIvor's closest relatives among them.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perish" to add a sense of gravity or formality to writing about death or destruction. It's particularly effective when discussing historical events, environmental concerns, or moral consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "perish" in everyday conversation or informal writing. Its formal and somewhat dramatic tone can sound out of place in casual settings. Opt for more common alternatives like "die" or "end" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The verb "perish" primarily functions to describe the act of dying or ceasing to exist, often carrying a sense of finality or destruction. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's used to express the termination of life or existence in a forceful way. The provided examples showcase this function across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perish" is a versatile verb signifying death or cessation, predominantly utilized in formal contexts like news and media. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability. While alternatives like "die" exist, "perish" adds a distinctive gravity and historical depth. Employ it judiciously, bearing in mind that its overuse in casual settings can sound stilted. Understanding its role in communicative contexts enhances one's capacity to express significance and consequences, particularly within professional settings and literary works.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Die

A more common and general term for ceasing to live, lacking the dramatic or literary connotation of "perish".

Pass away

A euphemistic way to say die, often used to soften the impact of the news.

Cease to exist

A more formal and neutral way of expressing the end of something's existence, be it physical or abstract.

Come to an end

A general term applicable to various situations, referring to the conclusion or termination of something, not necessarily implying death.

Meet one's end

A more dramatic and literary way of saying die, suggesting a finality and sometimes a sense of destiny.

Be destroyed

Implies an external force causing the end, differing from "perish" which can be self-inflicted or due to natural causes.

Be wiped out

Suggests a complete and often sudden annihilation, implying a more forceful destruction.

Succumb

Implies yielding to a force or condition, often related to illness or hardship leading to death.

Wither

Describes a gradual decline and decay, often associated with plants or living organisms losing vitality.

Decompose

Refers specifically to the process of organic matter breaking down after death.

FAQs

How can I use "perish" in a sentence?

The word "perish" is used to describe the state of dying or ceasing to exist, often in a dramatic or literary context. For example, "Without water, the plants will perish."

What are some alternatives to "perish"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "die", "pass away", or "cease to exist".

Is it correct to say "perish the thought"?

Yes, "perish the thought" is an idiom used to express a strong wish that something will not happen or to reject an idea emphatically.

What is the difference between "perish" and "wither"?

"Perish" generally means to die or come to an end, whereas "wither" implies a gradual decline or decay, often associated with plants losing vitality. Thus, "wither" suggests a slow process of deterioration before something perishes.