1. (

• atrophy ,
• withering

) any weakening or degeneration (especially through lack of use) ;

1. (

• shrivel ,
• shrivel_up ,
• shrink ,
• wither

) wither, as with a loss of moisture; "The fruit dried and shriveled" ;

2. (

• fade ,
• wither ,

) lose freshness, vigor, or vitality; "Her bloom was fading" ;

1. (

• annihilative ,
• annihilating ,
• devastating ,
• withering

) wreaking or capable of wreaking complete destruction; "possessing annihilative power"; "a devastating hurricane"; "the guns opened a withering fire" ;

2. (

• annihilating ,
• devastating ,
• withering

) making light of; "afire with annihilating invective"; "a devastating portrait of human folly"; "to compliments inflated I've a withering reply"- W.S.Gilbert ;