wither
/ˈwɪðər/
verb
- To become dry, weak, and start to die, especially of a plant.
- The flowers withered in the hot sun because no one watered them.
- If you don't give the plant enough light, it will wither and die.
- Leaves wither and fall from the trees in autumn.
- To gradually become weaker or less important; to fade away.
- Her hopes of winning the competition withered after she saw the other contestants.
- Support for the old law withered as people demanded change.
- The friendship withered over time as they moved to different cities.
- To make someone feel embarrassed, humiliated, or silenced, usually with a look or remark.
- The teacher withered the student with a single glance for talking in class.
- She withered him with a cold stare that made him stop mid-sentence.
- His sarcastic comment withered her confidence during the presentation.