Wither vs. Whither: What's the Difference?
By Harlon Moss || Updated on May 22, 2024
Wither means to dry up or shrink due to lack of moisture, while whither is an archaic term meaning "to what place." Wither describes a physical state; whither questions direction or destination.
Wither and Whither Definitions
Wither
To dry up or shrivel from loss of moisture.
Whither
To what place, result, or condition
Whither are we wandering?.
Wither
To lose force or vitality; become diminished; wane
"Belief in industry self-regulation took hold ... and formal regulation was allowed to wither" (Eduardo Porter).
Whither
To which specified place or position
Landed on the shores whither the storm had tossed them.
Wither
To cause to shrivel or fade.
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Whither
To whatever place, result, or condition
"Whither thou goest, I will go" (Ruth 1:16).
Wither
To cause to lose force or vitality; diminish or destroy
"Three years apart had withered her hopes and she was engaged to someone else" (John Garth).
Whither
To what place.
Wither
To render speechless or incapable of action; stun
The teacher withered the noisy student with a glance.
Whither
Into what future state; where next.
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Wither
(intransitive) To shrivel, droop or dry up, especially from lack of water.
Whither
To wuther.
Wither
(transitive) To cause to shrivel or dry up.
Whither
To what place; - used interrogatively; as, whither goest thou?
Sir Valentine, whither away so fast?
Wither
To lose vigour or power; to languish; to pass away.
Whither
To what or which place; - used relatively.
That no man should know . . . whither that he went.
We came unto the land whither thou sentest us.
Wither
(intransitive) To become helpless due to emotion.
Whither
To what point, degree, end, conclusion, or design; whereunto; whereto; - used in a sense not physical.
Nor have I . . . whither to appeal.
Wither
(transitive) To make helpless due to emotion.
Whither
To what place;
Whither go you?
Wither
(obsolete) To go against, resist; oppose.
Wither
Singular of withers
Wither
Against, in opposition to.
Wither
To fade; to lose freshness; to become sapless; to become sapless; to dry or shrivel up.
Shall he hot pull up the roots thereof, and cut off the fruit thereof, that it wither?
Wither
To lose or want animal moisture; to waste; to pin away, as animal bodies.
This is man, old, wrinkled, faded, withered.
There was a man which had his hand withered.
Now warm in love, now with'ring in the grave.
Wither
To lose vigor or power; to languish; to pass away.
States thrive or wither as moons wax and wane.
Wither
To cause to fade, and become dry.
The sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth.
Wither
To cause to shrink, wrinkle, or decay, for want of animal moisture.
Shot forth pernicious fireAmong the accursed, that withered all their strength.
Wither
To cause to languish, perish, or pass away; to blight; as, a reputation withered by calumny.
The passions and the cares that wither life.
Wither
Wither, especially with a loss of moisture;
The fruit dried and shriveled
Wither
Lose freshness, vigor, or vitality;
Her bloom was fading
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
