shrivel

verb

shriv·​el ˈshri-vəl How to pronounce shrivel (audio)
especially Southern ˈsri-
shriveled or shrivelled; shriveling or shrivelling ˈshri-vəl-iŋ How to pronounce shrivel (audio)
ˈsri-;
ˈshriv-liŋ
ˈsriv-
Synonyms of shrivelnext

intransitive verb

1
: to draw into wrinkles especially with a loss of moisture
2
a
: to become reduced to inanition, helplessness, or inefficiency
b

transitive verb

: to cause to shrivel

Examples of shrivel in a Sentence

plants shriveling in the heat
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Desert wildflowers shriveled up early this year due to the historic heat wave, leading to a lackluster sightseeing season and fewer visitors at some state parks. Ray Stern, AZCentral.com, 27 Mar. 2026 And then emergency snacks for my kid, often shriveled up raisins all over the bottom of the bag. Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026 Store limes in your fridge’s crisper drawer, which has a lower humidity level that keeps the skins from shriveling. Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026 The Great Salt Lake has been shriveling up for decades. Evan Bush, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shrivel

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shrivel was in 1565

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shrivel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrivel. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

shrivel

verb
shriv·​el ˈshriv-əl How to pronounce shrivel (audio)
shriveled or shrivelled; shriveling or shrivelling -(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce shrivel (audio)
: to shrink and become dry and wrinkled

More from Merriam-Webster on shrivel

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster