droop

1 of 2

verb

ˈdrüp How to pronounce droop (audio)
drooped; drooping; droops
Synonyms of droop

intransitive verb

1
: to hang or incline downward
2
: to sink gradually
3
: to become depressed or weakened : languish

transitive verb

: to let droop
droopingly
ˈdrü-piŋ-lē How to pronounce droop (audio)
adverb

droop

2 of 2

noun

: the condition or appearance of drooping

Synonyms of droop

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Verb

Noun

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Examples of droop in a Sentence

Verb The flowers were drooping in the hot sun. Her eyelids drooped as she grew tired. The tree's branches drooped under the weight of the snow. His spirits drooped when he didn't get the job. Noun tighten the line at the top of the banner so there won't be so much droop
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The video shows a city officer responding to a chaotic scene where Belgal — sitting on the ground with his hands behind his back and head drooping to one side — was surrounded by several officials. — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 In a certain weird way, that play became a turning point in a 27-19 win for the Chiefs because Stroud was visibly shaken and the Texans drooped from there. — Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026
Noun
How to Prevent Your Sunflowers From Drooping There are a few ways to get ahead of the droop, says Awot-Traut. — Lauren Wellbank, Martha Stewart, 3 Sep. 2026 Why Plants Wilt Reversing wilt begins with a basic understanding of what is going on in a plant when the leaves droop and the stems go limp. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for droop

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English drupen, from Old Norse drūpa; akin to Old English dropa drop

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1647, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of droop was in the 13th century

Rhymes for droop

See All Rhymes for droop

Browse Nearby Words

droon
droop
drooped ailerons
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Droop.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/droop. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

droop

1 of 2 verb
ˈdrüp How to pronounce droop (audio)
1
: to sink, bend, or hang down
2
: to become depressed or weak
droopingly
ˈdrü-piŋ-lē How to pronounce droop (audio)
adverb
droopy
ˈdrü-pē
adjective

droop

2 of 2 noun
: the condition or appearance of drooping
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