shrivel

verb

shriv·​el ˈshri-vəl 

 especially Southern  ˈsri-

shriveled or shrivelled; shriveling or shrivelling 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

Examples of shrivel in a Sentence

plants shriveling in the heat

Recent Examples on the Web

But the ambition of that process quickly shriveled. —Joshua Z. Walker, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025

Now, the drama arrives onstage as the sources of funding have shriveled up further, and the philanthropoids running these institutions have to dance even harder for their suppers. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 June 2025

That doesn’t leave a whole lot of time to shrivel up over the onslaught of hate comments the 33-year-old actor has received over her role as Bronte in the final season of You, which dropped on Netflix on April 24. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 13 May 2025

The financial and consulting sector mushroomed while manufacturing employment shriveled. —David Brooks, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for shrivel

• civil
• divil
• drivel
• swivel
• uncivil

Kids Definition

shrivel

verb

shriv·​el ˈshriv-əl 

shriveled or shrivelled; shriveling or shrivelling -(ə-)liŋ 

: to shrink and become dry and wrinkled