wasting away vs wasting

wasting away and wasting both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
wasting away	Yes	No	No	No
wasting	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, wasting away and wasting are synonyms defined as:

wasting away and wasting: a decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse

Other synonyms of wasting away include atrophy.

wasting away (noun)	wasting (noun)
a decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse	a decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse
	any general reduction in vitality and strength of body and mind resulting from a debilitating chronic disease