8 words starting with W

• wane verb

  to slowly become smaller or weaker

  The moon wanes after the full moon until it disappears.

  Like decrease, diminish, fade

• wary adjective

  cautious and distrustful because of possible danger or trouble

  Villagers are wary of crossing the river after heavy rain.

  Like cautious, careful, watchful

• whimsical adjective

  playful and unusual in a light, fanciful way

  The children’s book has whimsical drawings of flying elephants.

  Like playful, fanciful, quirky

• wince verb

  to make a quick face showing sudden pain or embarrassment

  I winced when the nurse gave me the injection.

  Like flinch, grimace, cringe

• wistful adjective

  thinking with gentle sadness about something past or out of reach

  On the last day of the holidays, she took a wistful look at the beach.

  Like nostalgic, longing, yearning

• wither verb

  to become dry and shrink, especially of plants

  The flowers withered in the hot sun without water.

  Like shrivel, wilt, dry up

• withstand verb

  to stay strong and undamaged against force or pressure

  The new bridge can withstand strong earthquakes.

  Like resist, endure, survive

• wry adjective

  showing mild humor mixed with some annoyance or irony

  She gave a wry smile when the bus broke down again.

  Like ironic, dry