languish

lose vigor, health, or flesh, as through grief

To become languid or weak; to lose strength or animation; to be or become dull, feeble or spiritless; to pine away; to wither or fade.

Lat. languere, to be weak

“The season bloomed scarce longer than a week for Hippias, and then began to languish.”

— George Meredith, Complete Project Gutenberg Works of George Meredith

In the quiet of Alicia's old town, Andrei's bakery was a ghost of its former self. Once bustling with laughter and the sweet scent of baking bread, it now languished in silence and dust, as Andrei did at home, mourning her lost love and closed oven.

Under the swaying willows of Palermo Park, Ravi sat on a weathered bench, his once vibrant eyes now dull as he stared blankly at the empty bird feeder. The park's usual chorus of chirps was absent, mirroring how Ravi had languished since the birds stopped coming, leaving him quiet and gaunt amidst the trees.

“By May 2000, Smith and Mosier were still attached to produce with Talalay directing, but Smith did not know the status of Preacher, feeling it would languish in development hell.”