perish

[ˈperɪʃ]

perish Definition

• 1. to die, especially in a sudden violent way
• 2. to be destroyed, especially by fire, flood, or other natural disasters

Using perish: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "perish" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  Many people perished in the earthquake.

• Example

  The food will perish if it's not refrigerated.

• Example

  The ancient city was destroyed and perished under the sands of time.

• Example

  The company will perish if it doesn't adapt to the changing market.

perish Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for perish

• die
• expire
• vanish
• pass away
• cease to exist

Antonyms for perish

• survive
• live
• thrive

Phrases with perish

• let perish

  to allow someone or something to die or be destroyed

  Example

  The government let the economy perish due to their poor policies.

• perish the thought

  used to say that you hope that something will never happen

  Example

  Perish the thought that we should ever have to live without electricity!

• perish in the attempt

  to die while trying to do something very difficult

  Example

  Many climbers have perished in the attempt to climb Mount Everest.

Origins of perish

from Old French 'perir', from Latin 'perire', meaning 'to go through, perish'

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Summary: perish in Brief

The verb 'perish' [ˈperɪʃ] means to die suddenly or violently, or to be destroyed by natural disasters. It can also refer to the decay or expiration of food. Examples include 'Many people perished in the earthquake,' and 'The food will perish if it's not refrigerated.' The phrase 'let perish' means to allow something to die or be destroyed, while 'perish the thought' is used to express the hope that something will never happen.