wilt away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wilt away" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to gradually fade or decline in strength or vitality. Example: The flowers wilted away in the scorching heat of the summer sun.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"All my cares of the day just wilt away.

The New York Times - Travel

"These good, close relationships — we can't allow them to wilt away.

The New York Times

He puts his hand on my shoulder and I wilt away from it.

The New Yorker

A9 Surpluses While India Starves India's government is sitting on millions of tons of grain surpluses while children and adults wilt away from hunger-related causes.

The New York Times

Sid's the first to break the spell, his voice rising to emphasize the joke: "Well, Jesus Christ, we thought we were going to wilt away and starve waiting for you".

The New Yorker

Who knows how the series plays out but we do know that these Red Sox, produced in the laboratory of the homegrown general manager, the Yalie Theo Epstein, are not likely to wilt away from the wall.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"Men are wilting away," Dr. Jones writes.

The New York Times

But the well-intended "Staff Room" wilted away when its managers failed to add enough new content after launch.

The Economist

After an hour, all conversation has wilted away as we focus on hauling ourselves up a 600m hill in 90 per cent humidity.

Independent

One by one, children and adults -- as many as 47 in all -- wilted away from hunger-related causes, often clutching pained stomachs.

The New York Times

Then, at the Dutchman's back, there was Alisson who, when an aggrieved Palace stirred after the interval in pursuit of parity, was imposing where previous Liverpool goalkeepers have merely wilted away.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wilt away" to vividly describe a gradual loss of energy, enthusiasm, or physical strength. It's particularly effective when applied to living things or abstract concepts that can be personified.

Common error

While "wilt away" is appropriate for descriptive writing, it can sound too figurative in formal reports or business communications. Opt for more neutral terms like "decline" or "decrease" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "wilt away" functions as an intransitive verb, describing a state of gradual decline or fading. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, where it illustrates how things like enthusiasm or peace talks gradually diminish.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Reference

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "wilt away" describes a gradual decline or fading, often used in descriptive contexts to evoke a sense of loss or decay. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While more common in news, media, and informal writing, it should be used cautiously in formal settings where more neutral terms might be preferable. Consider alternatives like ""fade away"" or "decline gradually" depending on the context to achieve the most appropriate tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fade away

Implies a gradual disappearance or loss of intensity, similar to "wilt away" but can also refer to sounds or memories.

languish away

Suggests a slow decline due to unfavorable conditions, emphasizing a lack of vitality.

wither away

Focuses on a physical decay or shrinking, similar to plants losing moisture and vitality.

waste away

Indicates a gradual loss of substance or health, often due to illness or neglect.

decline gradually

A more formal way to express a slow decrease in strength or quality.

ebb away

Suggests a gradual receding or diminishing, often used in the context of emotions or energy.

peter out

Implies a gradual decrease until something comes to an end, often used for resources or efforts.

dissipate

Refers to something scattering or vanishing, losing its form or intensity.

crumble

Suggests a breaking down or disintegration, often used for structures or organizations.

atrophy

Indicates a wasting away of body tissue or an organ, due to degeneration of cells.

FAQs

What does "wilt away" mean?

"Wilt away" means to gradually lose energy, strength, or vitality, similar to how a plant wilts and fades.

How can I use "wilt away" in a sentence?

You might say, "His enthusiasm began to "fade away"/wilt away as the project dragged on," or "Without support, the peace talks will "languish away"/wilt away."

What are some synonyms for "wilt away"?

Alternatives include "fade away", "wither away", "languish away", or "waste away". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "wilt away" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "wilt away" is often more suitable for descriptive or creative writing. In formal contexts, consider using more neutral terms like "decline" or "diminish".