Origin: Germanic Old English prefix
Withering has 6 different meanings across 2 categories:
The process by which something withers.
present participle of wither
wreaking or capable of wreaking complete destruction
"possessing annihilative power"
"a devastating hurricane"
"the guns opened a withering fire"
making light of
"afire with annihilating invective"
"a devastating portrait of human folly"
"to compliments inflated I've a withering reply"
Tending to destroy, devastate, overwhelm or cause complete destruction.