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

In earlier work, Rosenblatt’s team watched as some cells dumped their water and shriveled up like raisins before being extruded; indeed, this shrinkage seemed to kick off the process. —Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 12 Jan. 2026

How To Prep Blueberries Before Washing Before cleaning, spread fresh blueberries onto a plate or tray and sort through, discarding any moldy, shriveled, or crushed berries, along with stray stems or leaves. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 9 Jan. 2026

Drought shrivels the grapes; excessive heat deprives the juice of acidity; too much rain results in rampant mold. —Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026

In other cases, bulbs could dry and shrivel up. —Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 4 Jan. 2026

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