withering

Tending to destroy, devastate, overwhelm, or cause complete destruction.

• The D-Day troops came under withering fire.

Diminishing rapidly.

• The playboy seemed oblivious to his withering fortune as he continued in his decadent lifestyle.

Tending to make someone feel small; scornful in a mortifying way.

• Jane's mother in law gave her a withering look.
• He made withering remarks about his adversary.

present participle and gerund of witherform-ofgerundparticiple

The process by which something withers.

• Spiritual witherings and decayings are opposite to the word of God.