wasting away crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're struggling with the clue "wasting away," you've come to the right place. Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of solutions, organized by letter count, along with clear explanations to help you complete your puzzle with ease.
Solutions for "wasting away crossword clue" by Letter Count
3 Letters
WAN: Pale and appearing unwell due to illness or fatigue.
4 Letters
THIN: Having little flesh; slender, often implying a loss of weight.
5 Letters
GAUNT: Lean and haggard, especially because of suffering, hunger, or age.
6 Letters
WANING: Decreasing in vigor, power, or extent; declining, often referring to something fading.
10 Letters
EMACIATING: Making abnormally thin or weak, often due to illness or lack of nutrition.
ATROPHYING: Gradually declining in effectiveness or vigor due to underuse or neglect; wasting away, especially of a body part or tissue.
More About "wasting away crossword clue"
"Wasting away" is a compelling crossword clue because it can refer to both a physical state and a metaphorical decline. Physically, it evokes images of thinning, weakness, and emaciation, leading to answers like GAUNT, THIN, or EMACIATED. This type of clue often tests your vocabulary related to health and deterioration. Understanding these nuances is key to selecting the correct answer among similar options.
Beyond the literal, "wasting away" can also describe a gradual decrease or loss of something non-physical. This could be power, resources, or even time. Words like WANING, DWINDLING, or ERODING fit this metaphorical interpretation. Crossword setters love these dual-meaning clues as they allow for a wider range of answers and challenge solvers to think broadly about the word's applications.
When encountering such a clue, consider the context provided by other solved letters in the puzzle. Is the answer an adjective describing a person? A verb describing a process? Or a noun representing a state? These grammatical cues are invaluable in narrowing down the possibilities and ensuring you pick the most precise answer for "wasting away."
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Part of Speech: Is the clue "wasting away" (present participle, acting as adjective or verb) or would it imply a noun or past tense? This helps determine if you need an adjective (GAUNT), a verb (ATROPHYING), or a noun.
- Check Letter Count: Always match the exact letter count. Our provided answers are carefully categorized by length to help you quickly find viable options for "wasting away."
- Consider Synonyms and Antonyms: Think about words that mean the opposite (e.g., flourishing, growing) to sometimes spark ideas for the intended meaning of decline. Also, brainstorm a wide range of synonyms for "wasting away" from different contexts (physical, abstract).
- Look for Common Crossword Patterns: Some answers appear more frequently for common concepts. Familiarize yourself with these regulars as they can be quick wins.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "wasting away" mean in a crossword context?
In crosswords, "wasting away" typically refers to a gradual physical or metaphorical decline. This can include terms related to becoming thin or emaciated (like GAUNT, THIN, WAN), or a general decrease in strength, size, or vitality (like WANING, DWINDLING, ATROPHYING). The specific answer often depends on the letter count and surrounding letters.
Are there different types of "wasting away" answers?
Yes, answers can vary widely. Some might describe a physical state (e.g., EMACIATED, FRAIL), while others could refer to a process of decline (e.g., DECAYING, DWINDLING, ERODING). Context clues within the puzzle, such as whether the answer is an adjective, verb, or noun, are crucial for pinpointing the correct solution.
How can I identify synonyms for "wasting away" effectively?
To find synonyms for "wasting away," think about different facets of decline: physical deterioration, loss of strength, decrease in size, or gradual disappearance. Consider words like diminishing, decaying, withering, shrinking, or fading. Also, pay attention to the part of speech required by the clue.