Perish (verb)

Meaning & Definition of Perish

to become destroyed or ruined, cease to exist
deteriorate, spoil
to cause to die, destroy

Perish (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

to stop living

"12 people perished in the plane crash"

similar: check out, conk (out), croak (slang), decease, demise, depart, die, drop, end, exit, expire, fall, flatline, go, kick in (slang), kick off (slang), part, pass (on), pass away, peg out (chiefly British), pop off, step out, succumb, bite the dust, buy it, give up the ghost, kick the bucket, snuff it (British)

related: predecease, consume, disappear, dry up, fade, fail

opposite: breathe, live

near: come to, revive, linger, be, exist, subsist, flourish, prosper, thrive
to go through decomposition

"after being left out in the summer heat, the milk perished and had to be thrown out"

similar: break down, corrupt, decay, decompose, disintegrate, fester, foul, mold, molder, putrefy, rot, spoil, fall apart, go to seed

related: sour, turn, turn off (British), contaminate, defile, pollute, taint, addle, curdle, ferment, mortify, rust, crumble, decline, degenerate, descend, deteriorate, dilapidate, sink, wither

near: age, develop, grow, mature, ripen, refresh, renew, restore, cleanse, purify, assemble, compose, integrate, ameliorate, better, improve, meliorate

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Perish

The most common words with a similar meaning to Perish:

Slang: croak, kick in, kick off

Chiefly British: peg out

British: snuff it

check out, conk (out), decease, demise, depart, die, drop, end, exit, expire, fall, flatline, go, part, pass (on), pass away, pop off, step out, succumb, break down, corrupt, decay, decompose, disintegrate, fester, foul, mold, molder, putrefy, rot, spoil, bite the dust, buy it, give up the ghost, kick the bucket, fall apart, go to seed

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Perish

Words with the opposite meaning of Perish:

breathe, live

Related Words for Perish

predecease, consume, disappear, dry up, fade, fail, sour, turn, turn off, contaminate, defile, pollute, taint, addle, curdle, ferment, mortify, rust, crumble, decline, degenerate, descend, deteriorate, dilapidate, sink, wither

Near Antonyms of Perish

come to, revive, linger, be, exist, subsist, flourish, prosper, thrive, age, develop, grow, mature, ripen, refresh, renew, restore, cleanse, purify, assemble, compose, integrate, ameliorate, better, improve, meliorate

Word Forms of Perish

Inflections: perished, perishing, perishes

Origin & Etymology of Perish

Middle English perisshen, from Anglo-French periss-, stem of perir, from Latin perire, from per- detrimentally + ire to go per-, issue:1

First known use: 13th centuryi

Words & Phrases Containing Perish

perish the thought

Frequently Asked Questions about Perish

What does "Perish" mean?

"Perish" means to become destroyed or ruined, cease to exist. As a verb, it is defined as: to become destroyed or ruined, cease to exist. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Perish"?

Other words for "Perish" include check out, conk (out), croak, decease, demise, depart, die and drop. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Perish" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Perish"?

There are 68 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Perish". Common alternatives include check out, conk (out), croak, decease, demise, depart, die, drop, end and exit.

What is a slang word for "Perish"?

Slang words for "Perish" include croak, kick in and kick off.

What is the opposite of "Perish"?

Antonyms of "Perish" include breathe and live. Near antonyms include come to, revive, linger and be.

How do you use "Perish" in a sentence?

Examples of "Perish" in a sentence: "12 people perished in the plane crash"; "after being left out in the summer heat, the milk perished and had to be thrown out".

Is "Perish" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Perish" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Perish"?

"Perish" is pronounced /ˈper-ish/ and divided into syllables as per·ish.