What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wizen
Example
The old man's wizened face showed the signs of a life well-lived. [wizened: adjective]
Example
The apple had been left out too long and had wizened into a small, wrinkled ball. [wizened: verb]
Example
The drought had caused the once lush garden to become wizened and barren. [wizened: adjective]
wither
Example
The flowers began to wither in the hot sun without enough water. [wither: verb]
Example
The dog's health had deteriorated, causing it to wither away to skin and bones. [wither: verb]
Example
Their once strong bond had begun to wither as they grew apart. [wither: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wither is more commonly used than wizen in everyday language. Wither is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while wizen is less common and refers to a more specific type of shriveling or drying out.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wizen and wither?
Both wizen and wither are relatively formal words and may not be commonly used in casual conversation. However, wither is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while wizen is less common and may be more appropriate in more specialized or literary contexts.
