1
as in to die
to stop living
12 people perished in the plane crash
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2
as in to decompose
chiefly British
to go through decomposition
after being left out in the summer heat, the milk perished and had to be thrown out
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Recent Examples of perish
There, every sixth U.S. fatality perished by the efforts of Iran.
—
Karl Vick, Time, 22 June 2025
In a cautionary tale about exceeding one's limits (and ignoring the cautionary warnings of one's father), in Greek mythology, Icarus, son of Daedalus, perished after flying too close to the sun, melting the wax that held the feathers on the wings his father had made him.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 5 June 2025
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was a summer visitor, as was her late son John F. Kennedy Jr., who perished in a plane crash off the coast with his wife Carolyn Bessette and sister-in-law Lauren in 1999.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 27 June 2025
Hundreds of Israeli civilians were injured in Iranian attacks, many homes were destroyed, and a few dozen civilians were killed, including five who perished in an Iranian attack on Beersheba minutes before the cease-fire took effect.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for perish
Karl Vick, Time, 22 June 2025
In a cautionary tale about exceeding one's limits (and ignoring the cautionary warnings of one's father), in Greek mythology, Icarus, son of Daedalus, perished after flying too close to the sun, melting the wax that held the feathers on the wings his father had made him.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 5 June 2025
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was a summer visitor, as was her late son John F. Kennedy Jr., who perished in a plane crash off the coast with his wife Carolyn Bessette and sister-in-law Lauren in 1999.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 27 June 2025
Hundreds of Israeli civilians were injured in Iranian attacks, many homes were destroyed, and a few dozen civilians were killed, including five who perished in an Iranian attack on Beersheba minutes before the cease-fire took effect.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for perish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perish
Verb
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The department’s homicide unit is investigating the death, as is the department’s protocol when someone dies while in custody.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
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One person died in federal prison after being kept in restraints for more than two days.—
Joseph Shapiro,
NPR,
14 July 2025
Verb
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The decomposing roots serve as the host for the mushrooms to grow.—
Chris McKeown,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
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The metamorphic rock from which Atlanta’s soil is derived also contributes to its alkalinity as does the constantly decomposing organic matter, consisting mostly of leaves, on the soil surface.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
28 June 2025
Verb
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Starbucks' same-store sales in China were flat in the first quarter this year after falling for four consecutive quarters .—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
9 July 2025
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Partner that with another warning sign: A declining ratio of U.S. exports to imports while the U.S. deficit increases into record territory – like trade falling two months in a row, atypical since the former tends to remain steady even as the deficit increases.—
Ken Roberts,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Verb
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Organic materials like wood, leather, and fabric — which often remain remarkably preserved in the cold, low-oxygen depths — can begin to warp, crumble or disintegrate as dormant bacteria and fungi reactivate.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
6 July 2025
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Researchers think the deceased was buried in a wooden coffin that has long since disintegrated.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
3 July 2025
Verb
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Food waste after a party or outdoor snacking session can begin to rot and smell, which won’t be pleasant for you or your neighbors.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
14 July 2025
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This vertical trellis reduces the likelihood of rotting, keeps produce away from certain garden pests, and can even increase sun exposure.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 July 2025
Verb
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However, when viruses were exposed to sunlight, many of them did not survive as long, decaying in under 24 hours.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
13 Mar. 2025
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The result was not only environmental catastrophe but license for unchecked consumption of cheap plastic goods that can take a few minutes to use but hundreds of years to decay.—
Scott W. Stern,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perish. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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