What is the meaning of withering?

noun

• Any weakening or degeneration (especially through lack of use.
  • synonyms: atrophy

verb

• Wither, as with a loss of moisture.
  • usage: "The fruit dried and shriveled"
  • synonyms: shrivel, shrivel up, shrink, wither
• Lose freshness, vigor, or vitality.
  • usage: "Her bloom was fading"
  • synonyms: fade, wither

adjective

• Wreaking or capable of wreaking complete destruction.
  • usage: "possessing annihilative power"; "a devastating hurricane"; "the guns opened a withering fire"
  • synonyms: annihilative, annihilating, devastating
• Making light of."afire with annihilating invective"; "a devastating portrait of human folly"; "to compliments inflated I've a withering reply- W. S. Gilbert
  • synonyms: annihilating, devastating