shrivel

play

verb shriv·el \ ˈshri-vəl , especially Southern ˈsri- \

Definition of shrivel

shriveled or shrivelled; shriveling or shrivelling play \ˈshri-vəl-iŋ, ˈsri-; ˈshriv-liŋ, ˈsriv-\

intransitive verb

1 :to draw into wrinkles especially with a loss of moisture

2 a :to become reduced to inanition, helplessness, or inefficiency

b :dwindle

transitive verb

:to cause to shrivel

See shrivel defined for English-language learners

See shrivel defined for kids

Examples of shrivel in a Sentence

plants shriveling in the heat

Recent Examples of shrivel from the Web

History won’t matter, and the margin for error has shriveled.

— brian straus, SI.com, "USA outlasts El Salvador to advance, but must improve to succeed at Gold Cup," 20 July 2017
Roast pods in preheated oven until they are slightly shriveled and have brown spots, 15 to 20 minutes.

— milwaukee, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Aromatic Acres Oven-Roasted Radish Seed Pods," 14 July 2017
If any tubers are shriveling, spritz them with water from a spray bottle.

— ciscoe morris, The Seattle Times, "How a dab of canned cat food protects your dazzling dahlias," 5 July 2017
Roast until tomatoes are softened and shriveled but not mushy, 1–1½ hours; pluck out thyme and garlic and discard (makes about 2¼ cups).

— Bon Appetit, "Hummus with Roasted Tomatoes and Almonds," 26 June 2017
Avoid peaches that are green, shriveled or bruised.

— ronda rex, Cincinnati.com, "Peaches are a great summer treat," 26 June 2017
But one of the contenders for the most off-putting drink was recently sabotaged: someone stole the dried shriveled human toe used to make the famous Sourtoe Cocktail at Dawson City’s Downtown Hotel reports Paul Tukker at CBC News.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Famous Shriveled Toe Stolen From a Yukon Bar," 23 June 2017
This promise was not confined to the party’s shriveled moderate wing but included reliable right-wingers.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Trumpcare Might Pass, But the Conservative Health-Care Agenda Is Dead," 20 June 2017
Sea lions and other marine mammals were no longer washing ashore shriveled and starving.

— steve morey, National Geographic, "Bizarre, Glowing Sea Creatures Bloom in the Pacific," 13 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shrivel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of shrivel

origin unknown

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1565

See Words from the same year

SHRIVEL Defined for English Language Learners

shrivel

play

verb

Definition of shrivel for English Language Learners

: to become dry and wrinkled from heat, cold, or old age
: to cause (something) to become dry and wrinkled

SHRIVEL Defined for Kids

shrivel

play

verb shriv·el \ ˈshri-vəl \

Definition of shrivel for Students

shriveled or shrivelled; shriveling or shrivelling

:to shrink and become dry and wrinkled

Learn More about shrivel

See words that rhyme with shrivel Spanish Central: Translation of shrivel Nglish: Translation of shrivel for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of shrivel for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up shrivel? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

shrivel

Definition of shrivel

Examples of shrivel in a Sentence

Recent Examples of shrivel from the Web

Origin and Etymology of shrivel

SHRIVEL Defined for English Language Learners

shrivel

Definition of shrivel for English Language Learners

SHRIVEL Defined for Kids

shrivel

Definition of shrivel for Students

Learn More about shrivel

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

holus-bolus

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Silent Letters

'So Long': A Common But Mysterious Goodbye

"Immune to" or "Immune from"?

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

Name that Color!

Spell It

Word Winder's CrossWinder

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Trending: Ivanka: "An 'Otherwise' Incredible Day"

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

Words of the Year: 1066

shrivel

Definition of shrivel

Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd

Examples of shrivel in a Sentence

Recent Examples of shrivel from the Web

Origin and Etymology of shrivel

SHRIVEL Defined for English Language Learners

shrivel

Definition of shrivel for English Language Learners

SHRIVEL Defined for Kids

shrivel

Definition of shrivel for Students

Learn More about shrivel

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Trending: Ivanka: "An 'Otherwise' Incredible Day"

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

Words of the Year: 1066