English edit

Etymology edit

un- +‎ thriving

Adjective edit

unthriving (comparative more unthriving, superlative most unthriving)

  1. Failing to thrive; weak or sickly.
    • 1797, An English Lady, A Residence in France During the Years 1792, 1793, 1794 and 1795,[1]:
      In every place where there are half a dozen houses is planted an unthriving tree of liberty, which seems to wither under the baneful influence of the bonnet rouge.
    • 1911, Joseph Conrad, Under Western Eyes[2]:
      He stopped short and looked at the brick wall of the terrace, faced with shallow arches, meagrely clothed by a few unthriving creepers, with an ill-kept narrow flower-bed along its foot.